CAPITAL OF KORDOFAN ; LOBEID. 273 the same time in Arabia, and is beaten everywhere ; then it is generally added, that the regiment quartered at Lobeid would receive orders by the next dromedar}' to march to Eg}pt. This is, of course, most pleasing intelligence to the Turkish officers, who are ardently longing for a release, and is bruited about with innumerable variations and additions.

Then they talk about England, Germany, Russia, and France, these being the only countries in Europe with which the Turks are acquainted. In one or the other of these states there is sure to be always war declared by the Grand Sultan, because the sultan of the country which happens to form the topic of conversation has failed to pay the tribute due to Constantinople ; for the majority of the Turks still uphold the absurd opinion that these four countries are tributar}' to the Grand Sultan of Constantinople.

Thus the conversation turns upon these political questions. If a sudden shower should happen to come on when least expected ; for the rain, as in all tropical countries, generally falls in torrents, and, indeed, without the slightest premonitory sign, so that it is difficult even to reach a place of shelter, the confusion thus created would excite the most hypochondriacal person to laughter. The mass of human beings who stood, or sat, crowded together like a swarm of locusts, are in an instant scattered in all directions. The screams of the women, afraid of losing their goods in the crowd or of seeing them spoiled by the rain ; the cries of the T