280 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

Large troughs, made of moulded earth, surround the wells, and into these the water was poured by the dusky-skinned nymphs, whose scanty apparel allowed all the charms of their graceful figures to be displayed. Our camels were much refreshed by the good water, and we rode fifteen miles that day to Om Khobicha, a very large village, where good quarters were prepared for us.

At the entrance to this village a great number of people were collected, who shouted on our arrival, " Kurnek, Kurnek " ; we could not understand what they meant, until the head man of the village explained that when the people first heard that Europeans were coming, they thought it was the Pasha, and so had assembled to welcome him. " Kurnek " is their curious corruption of " Colonel," and is the name by which Colonel Gordon is called by many in Darfour and Kordofan. On this occasion their disappointment, when the mistake was discovered, was great ; and they entreated us to tell him when we saw him, that they wanted him, and that he must come back to them. This is only one instance among many I met with, of the afi'ection and reverence with which he is remembered.

I was sufi*ering from fever, and was glad to halt ; but the village was in a state of great commotion, the youthful daughter of one of the grandees of the place having just been tattooed, etc., and a fantasie was being held in consequence. Every one was in holiday