RAVAGES OF WILD BEASTS. 231 CHAP. xm.

Kavagcs of Wild Beasts. — Hills of Basa. — Native Tribes. — Chariff. — A Chasua and its consequences,— Singular Recovery. — Supper Party. Female Slaves Turkish Jealousy. — Snakes. — Superstitions.— Basa.— ' Origin of Tribes and Races. — Miseries and Ennui of Camp Life.

To form a regiment for the Khaimakan Hassan EfFendi, a vile fellow, who was slave along with the Pascha, the officials have to furnish slaves. The Pascha gave 50, Mustapha Bey 35s a Colonel 30, a Kaimakan 15, a Bimbaschi 10, a Jusbaschi 2, a Melasim, and all Mallems, 1 ; and just as arbitrarily does the Pascha act with the Saraf (money-changer, or financial officials). The Saraf of Cairo has run off" with 7000 purses (kics). The Pascha has been generous enough to place 3000 to his own debit, but the other Sarafs of the country must pay the remaining 4000. No officer, however old, gets his discharge without first having his accounts overhauled, or, in other words, being plundered. Some people of Mohammed Ehle's have been caught tempting the soldiers to desert, and stealing camels, but our chief remains true to his policy not to break with the Ilallenga. The only punishment he inflicts on them is to take away their lances and shields, and, at the prayer of Mohammed Khle, after a few days' imprisonment, let them go. The making of busa, or merissa, is forbidden, and brandy is not to be had ; so now they steep raisins and honey in water till it ferments, burying the vessel containing it in the ground. The opium is, too, all used up, and the few who have been in the habit of using it torment my brother for some, and proniise in return what they never mean to perform. The tigers (nimr), or panthers, almost nigiitly spring from the rocks over the low camp-fence, and bear off so easily goats and sheej), that the owners, who sleep beside tliem, only hear the dying cry of the prey, and the rapid spring of tlie spoiler over the pales. The lions have again slain a man, and three cows, near the canij) we therefore are now more cautious when we go out to hunt, and the servants wisely stick close to us. Our collection of l)irds and four-footed animals is much increased, and we have also gathered together a number of snakes and other reptiles.