The Shilhiks and their Chief Mek. 27 wluit low, iind subject to inundations. Tlio operations on board made nie foresee tlie loss of another day, and so I prepared to go agaiu in trace of my lion. Haggi would not follow me exce})t lie lauded on tlie other shore, where, as he told me in secret, he had a friend who was persecuted by the Egyptian Government, and who, seeing the steamer, would think they came in search of him, " I," said Haggi, " will go alone to seek for him, and, at a signal from me, he will come."

At seven o'clock in the morning Haggi landed, while T stood on the deck of the steamer awaiting the signal ; towards ten Haggi ap])eared and invited me to follow him. All alone we followed a narrow beaten ]iath, and arrived at a lake ; a boat, hollowed out of the trunk of a tree, brought us to the other end. We then marched on for half-an-hour, and already perceived the roofs of some huts on the horizon, when all at once about two hundred men, armed with lances, came towards us. I observed to Haggi that it would be better to turn back at once. " Do not be afraid," he replied, " these peo})le are preparing to welcome us." A few moments afterwards we found ourselves surrounded by a group of savages in fighting attitude. Having arrived near a hut, we paused under the shade of an immense tamarind-tree, capable of sheltering five hundred persons beneath its branches. A man wrapped in a red cloak came to meet us. His belt was secured by two buckles of the shape of a pear and studded with precious stones. I do not remember whether they were topazes or something else. I only remember that the fine quality of the workmanship surprised me.

Of fine proportions and tall in stature, this chief, without being really handsome, had a vivacious and attractive expression. His lower lip was somewhat prominent ; his manners grave and distinguished.

Having made his men withdraw, the chief had skins spread for us to sit upon, served us with