SHILLUK, NUBA, TAKELE, ETC. 181 to their parent in the company of all these men, and gave them some refreshments. When the nisfht closed in, more horsemen arrived, and they all immediately set out on their march.

The robber took the two girls on his horse, the youngest in front of him, and the eldest behind, again protesting that he would very soon bring them to their mother, who was already waiting for them. The whole night through they rode in the forest and to prevent the girls, who, overcome with fatigue, had fallen asleep, from slipping off his horse, he bound them both with a rope to his body. The younger girl still believed they were going to their home, but the elder began to scream and cry, and complained bitterly that she knew they had both been stolen and were to be sold as slaves. The barbarian now changed his conduct ; he beat the poor girls about the head and face, and threatened to murder them, if they uttered another note.

Thus they travelled on during four nights, for by day these Bakkara robbers— such they proved to be — were obliged to hide in the woods, or other desolate places, to avoid being seen and attacked by the natives. At last they reached an encampment of Egyptian troops. The kidnapper now led the two girls to the commanding officer, and made him a present of them, of course against a present of equal worth. The officer, moved to pity by the tears of these two children, endeavoured to pacify them, offered them refreshment, and asked them whence they came.