252 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

orders, accompany ua, that so we may have in our power hostages for the Hallenga's good behaviour. The Pascha had a great square formed, as the Arabs began to show on all sides. The few Hallenga who are with us have stuck pieces of white paper in their hair, not to be taken by our soldiery for the enemy (Haddenda). The Arabs, by fearful bowlings, challenged us to commence the battle ; these were replied to by a perfectly useless fire from our soldiers, without aim and at too great a distance. The Pascha galloped about like a madman, but would not move his force. The cannons were moved about from side to side and fired oif, so as to astound the foe by their thunders and grape-shot, and make them keep a respectable distance from us. At last the cavalry took a breathing and charged ; but, from the trees and some huts that had been fired, effected little. One of the Schaigies and four Koschafs (sing-Xaschef) fell, horses and men. After this the enemy became again quiet, and made no more attacks. The Pascha took particular pleasure in riding here and there against a single foe, and in shooting them down, as these, after having thrown all their lances, remained fixed as Achu-el-Bannat, to show their scorn for death.

The Schaigies made a fearful howling as they attacked, and as the foe approached them, the blacks of Mohammed Defallah danced about on one leg and beat on their shields with their swords, now crouching low down, now springing up into the air. The village of Dabab was burnt down, although it is in the Hallenga country, and the powder was moved on close by, and passed not ten paces from the burning houses. At midday the triumphant Achmet Pascha, to whom I certainly had ascribed higher leader's talent, retreated to his camp, which had in the meantime been left in charge of Abdin Bey. Here there was now no end of all kinds of boastings. Each proclaimed his great deeds, and according to all, an immense number of Arabs must have been slain. Friday arrived, and we should have again marched out, but the great Kadi Salani of Chartum, who had been for some time in camp, and to whom the Pascha had presented a beautiful female slave, although he brought two wives with him, advanced out of his tent and spoke with some of the upper officers. Tliis did not continue long, till the Pascha came from his tent, and we soon observed what had been the tenor of the sly priest's words. All the soldiers