28 Seven Yea7's in the Soudan.

sugared coffee and native pipes with Soudan tobacco, and then inquired after my health, wliere T was going, and for Avhat purpose ; and when he heard that we were on the way to Bahr-el-Ghazal, he spoke of the unliealthiness of those parts.

During the colloquy T was able to discover who was this personage, such a friend to Haggi, and surrounded by so much mystery. I found that I was in the presence of the dreaded Mek. He offered us rice, roast meat, and merissa, a kind of beer, which, notwithstanding m} thirst, I declined, preferring fresh Avater. Seeing that I did not drink the merissa, the chief had a bottle of brandy brought for me, and after the meal exquisite honey and coffee were served to us.

Mek had just returned from a journey to Eregiuk.

T visited his hut, which was clean and orderh' ; the principal furniture consisted of two large aiujarep, or couches, on one of which was spread a beautiful leopard's skin ; a filter for water, a double-barrelled carbine, two guns, three swords, a revolver, and two pairs of pistols — this was the sultan's furniture. He told me that his present abode was only temporary, and that he had his house farther into the interior of the country, where he possessed seventeen thousand oxen. In his father's time he had twenty-three thousand, but he had afterwards made a present of six thousand to the poorest Shilluks, and it was his intention to give them some more, and only keep ten thousand for himself. I then asked him if he would not prefer a life less dangerous and agitated than that which he led. By coming to terms with the Egyptian Government, and paying a trifling tribute, he Avould enjoy their protection, against others who might attack him. Before I had finished speaking, Mek's face took a threatening aspect.

" With whom do you want me to treat ? " he asked. " Surely not with the traitors who killed my father, who, Avlien invited to eat with them, Avas taken and bound ! "