212 AFRTCAX WANDEinXGS.

they had found hiding in the bush. Unhappily, none of us wex6 present at this minute, to beg mercy (amahn) for them ; for he afterwards told us he would liav e given them to us. He had acted so meanly as to sell them to the merchant, Hassan Mosmar of Berber, who was then in the camp. A real piece of good fortune it was for the poor girls that they had left all the clothing and ornaments the Pascha had given them behind, for otherwise some deed of barbarity would have most probably fallen on them.

This same night, during which the storm demolished a great part of the camp, the roof was blown off our recuba. In spite of a sound draught we had taken out of the Pascha's hamper, the heavy rain aroused us out of our sound sleep. A foot deep rushed the water, below our bed places. I hastily seized the carpet and cowskin on which I lay, and hung both up above my liead ; on which my brother lost no time in jumping across to me, and getting under this shelter. With legs tucked in under us we both crouched close together, and were all right; save only our just alarm for a return of fever. The water-spout, however, seemed as if it would never cease, and a chill seemed inevitable ; besides, thirst tormented us. Luckily, the hamper of wine stood near me, on it there lay a piece of bread that had been given us, made out of the apple-like fruit of the thorny Hebbek, and this, in our state of despair, we much longed for, both to pass the time in eating, and, if possible, ward off the fearful cold and consequent fever. The dagger served instead of a knife, the yet untasted curious bread had the flavour of the best ginger-bread, and the wine was excellent.

The next morning, when the rain had ceased, and the water run off, the cover was raised from our head as if by an invisible liand, and we were found sleeping in brotherly love and embrace, the head of one on the other's shoulders ; but the laugh and wellknown voice of Mallem Challill, aroused us out of our sweet dreams, and we sprung up happy and fresh, only somewhat dazzled with the daylight, but all ready for work, as we had, as usual, Iain down dressed and armed.