NOMADIC TRIBES. 127 of irregular troops, received orders to proceed from Lobeid to levy the annual tribute, consisting of one thousand heads of oxen, from the nearest Bakkara. The tribe, acquainted with the approach of their enemies, did all in their power to entertain them to the best of their means. On their arrival, several oxen and sheep were daily slaughtered, merissa was served in abundance, all kinds of amusements were introduced, in short, nothing was neglected that might render the sojourn agreeable to their tormentors. The officers and soldiers felt exceedingly comfortable with this kind of life during four days, enjoyed their Keyf,* and everything went off very peaceably and all were happy. On the fifth day, however, the scene suddenly changed : for the major had a sheikh summoned into his presence, and greeting him with all the customary terms of abuse, said, in a harsh tone,—" Do you remember that you gave me last year the worst and leanest cattle, the greater part of which died on the road, and that I had to make good the loss to IVIehemed Ali from my own purse ! That I may not suffer a similar loss this year, I draw your attention to this circumstance, and shall immediately take care to impress it also on your memory." He hereupon ordered the * The most prevalent means, in most Mooslem countries, of exciting what the Arabs term " Keyf," which I cannot more nearly translate than by the word '* exhilaration," is tobacco, whose accompaniment is usually the cup of coffee. Lanes Modern Egyptians, vol. ii., ch. 2., p. 35-6.—Tr.