CORN STORES. 45 away by the numerous noises. Here were, as at Gos-Rajeb, and more so at Soggilab, many cotton fields ; the Asclepias, also, again grew in full luxuriance, covered in greatest profusion with their pendant green air-bottles.

Achmet Pascha had galloped on in advance to look about him, and now off went a cannon as a signal for the army to encamp, or, rather, for each to throw himself down where he pleased. But soon, at my persuasion, came contrary orders ; viz., to get clear of the bush, and encamp somewhat farther east, in the open ground. Now, again, all fell into somewhat better order. The infantry enclosed the camp towards the eastward woods ; the cavalry faced the south ; the Schaigies, Schukuries, and Magrabins the wells towards the west and north. Our two field-pieces were before the infantry ; the few tents, along with the baggage camels and asses, were in the centre of our rather irregular square.

We brothers were just trying to gain some strength by a midday siesta, when some shots were fired, followed by a loud confused shouting of 'Arab, arub hetirV The Pascha at once threw himself on his horse, and, followed by all the mounted, galloped on, while the soldiery in the utmost confusion ran to the quarter where all looked for the "numberless enemy," who had already three times defeated the Turks, and where about again to, or had risked an attack. We also loaded our rifles, buckled on our swords, and set out on our way, but had not advanced far in the thick underwood, when tliere advanced from it to meet us the so-called " Old Knight," the Bischari Sheik Wood Naja, in full suit of armour, but his grey head bare, riding a most splendid black stallion, with tidings that it was only a magazine tliat liad been discovered, where durra and lubia were stored in immense quantities, in the midst of numberless holes dug in the eartii, belonging to the Iladdenda Arabs, who had fled from hence only the night before, under their great Sheik Mohammed Din, into the Cliaaba, making with all possible speed their way out of the Pascha's reach, whose arrival they had not so soon expected. On tiie discovery of the corn a figiit had arisen between the Turks and the row-loving Schaigies, our friends, the expert goat milkers, but of the enemy not one was to be seen. The Pascha had given orders that every one might help himself at will from the prize; and when we arrived at the spot,