242 Seven Years in the Sotidan.

the banner in the blood of this poor human victim. After midday, the wind having freshened, the same banner was torn in several places, which caused a general panic. It was then placed in a magazine where it Avas sheltered from the wind, but that same evening seventy Besingers were missing at the rollcall. A spy informed me that Suleiman had taken up a position with his troops at Dem Idris, and had occupied several eliov (torrents). A very favourable position, because covered, where an ambush can be made for an enemy who intends to attack. On hearing this I changed my intention, and marched to Dem Ismail Abu-Muri, where I arrived by a forced march on the 18th December. My plan was to deceive Suleiman and then march straight to his Dem. A few moments after arriving at Dem Ismail Abu-Muri, I heard loud cries, and saw a man stretched on the ground more dead than alive, surrounded by my people, who wanted to make an end of him. It was a spy from the enemy's camp. I forced my way to him, and with difficulty saved him from the soldiers.

Taking him by the hand, I made him enter my tent, ordering the people who pressed around me to go away.

He was a FeM, that is, a literary man. I asked why, being a man of letters, he followed such a miserable profession as that of a spy. He confessed that all his family were at Dem Suleiman, and that he could not refuse to execute the orders given him.

I sent for Saati Effendi, my faithful Arab, and through him made the spy understand that if he did not do what I told him he would be hanged. I then sent for paper and ink, and at my dictation the literary spy wrote the following dispatch : "Numerous troops advance straight upon the Dem ; part have already set out." When he had sealed the ' This banner, with tM-enty others, is now in the Prehistoric Mnseiira at Kome.