236 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

serious mortality among the men, who are almost all covered with' small, itching pimples. Even the finest horses of Dongola, Cairo, Scham (Syria), and Arabia, are dying in the same way. The Pascha, not to embitter his higher officers, although all, discontented as they are, still appear before him with the utmost outward subserviency, allows them now to draw almost the full amount of their allowances ; though they alone should answer for the deserters. The news from Sauakim, of a probable landing of the English, has caused much excitement in the camp. From all sides men flock to and question us, as they ftmcy that we, being Franks, must be aware of the English plans. On the whole, much general satisfaction would follow a change of rule ; and this is specially shown when we tell them of the good pay of the English, the good treatment all receive at their hands, and how no officer is subjected to unworthy usage from his superiors, nor dare any attempt, such practices as are common here, towards man or officer.

Certain of the detachments sent out in various directions to bring in tulba (tribute) have been slain, and a kind of revolt has occurred in the camp. In Mitkenab, in the land of the Iladdenda, one of these detachments, a troop of Turkish cavalry, who seemed to be on the best footing with the inhabitants, who prepared a feast for them, have been treacherously murdered. They had encamped, eaten, and drunk, when the Haddenda attacked with their knives the thirty-two horsemen and fifteen servants, and cut their throats like sheep, before these, anned with pistols and muskets, could rise to defend themselves. The Buluk Baschi, alone, slew the Arab attacking him, threw himself on his horse, and galloped in with the horrible tidings. We were with Abdin Bey, their commandant, when the messenger of death entered. Abdin Bey, who loved his men, dead or alive, became so furious, that he howled aloud, and plainly gave us to understand that this murder was done at the instigation of the Pascha. He was about to rush to him, but as this would at once have driven matters to extremities, his relatives and we held him back by force, although the foam actually stood on his lips. Then he wanted to mount with all his men, and take a bloody revenge, nor wait for any orders from the Pascha. Afterwards I accompanied him to tlie Pascha, who put on a most indifferent face, as if nothing particular ]iad occurred, called him merely Aga, tliough