264 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

In long winding line we rode in single files up the sandy banks after our leader, and reached, without any mischance in crossing the some 4000 feet wide Gohr, the still most swampy Chaaba, where I all the more feared our baggage animals would never get through, from the difficulty I found in making my own way on my dromedary. The Schaigies rode right and left through the bushes, and so closely crouched down on their animals under the branches, that often neither man nor horse was to be seen. The escort (Schaigies not included) of our caravan was only some sixty men strong, and part of these were camel-drivers and servants armed only with lances. Nor were we without female, and most assuredly unveiled, society; many pretty young slave-girls, from the mountains of Basa, were with us, who understood not a word of Arabic. They belonged partly to Soliman Kaschef and his Askari, partly to Ladjam and other lovers, who did not seem to hold the camp as the safest abode for their loves, as many slaves, both male and female, had already escaped from it. These poor creatures were much to be pitied and much moved my compassion, especially when I beheld how longingly they looked towards the hills, as if they would fix in their minds the direction, in case any chance of escape offered. No sooner had their conductors observed these glances, though some of these were themselves slaves of the negro race, than with the utmost brutality they lashed the poor girls, crouching on the camels, over the loins and naked back with the kurbash till the weals rose on them. But to behold this, and dash on the scoundrels with long whip and lay stoutly about me, and to bestow on one slave of our friend Mohammed Ladjam's (who offered to resist me, and was about to use his weapon, calling me a Kaffre), a horizontal cut with the lash that circled his neck and dashed him to the ground, where my servants instantly disarmed him, was the work of a few instants. Soliman Kaschef and his people had ridden on far in advance without knowing anything of these doings, and I had nothing therefore for it, but to remain in the neighbourhood of the slave-women and my baggage, and putting new caps on my rifle and pistols, threaten to instantly shoot down any one who did not conduct himself as he ought, or who should dare, as my servants feared they would, attempt to injure my baggage