448 Seven Years in the Sotidan.

monopolization on the part of the Egyptian Government of the whole produce of Bahr-el-Ghazal.

" While Avriting, I Avas interrupted by the arrival of King Mdarama's brother, who, with a large following of dignitaries and about a hundred porters laden witli ivory, came to visit Gessi Pasha, at the same time announcing that his brother — who was anxious to keep up the present good relations — would arrive with another caravan of ivory. This brother of Mdarama, who is called Zambare, is about twentyfive years of age, and I was surprised to find that his features were perfectly regular. Only his complexion, which v\'as dark olive, made him look different from Europeans. He is of middle stature, well proportioned, with an aquiline nose, small mouth and thin lips. His hair is long and woolly, and is entwined and ornamented with large beads. He has thin whiskers and a black beard some twelve inches long. He has round his neck a chain made of the seeds of 6070, the kernels of a wild fruit. His headdress is formed of a monkey's skin with a thick plume of cock's feathers, resembling that of our Bersagliere, on the hinder part, giving to his figure a martial air that at once shows he is a warriorchief. Round his waist he wears a cord about an incli thick, to which is attached a piece of bai'kcloth, the only stuff used by these people.

" The very Arabs hastened from all sides to gaze at this brother of the celebrated Mdarama, who had bravely resisted all the invasions attempted in his territory. The companies of Hassabub, Abugurum and Kutshuk Ali, comprising two thousand men, and carrying more than eight hundred guns, had penetrated Niam-Xiam, but Mdarama, warned in time, fell suddenly on the caravan and almost completely routed it ; the chiefs Auad and Abusfurum lost their lives. Other attempts were also repulsed, and for several years no one has risked disturbing this brave king. Suleiman himself tried by peaceful