Sheikh Ali complimented me upon the virtuous resolution and courage
thus displayed, and invited me, with many protestations of undying friend-
ship, to make his tent my home. He informed me that the country was
called the Waddy Messir, and that it contained numerous douahs, inhabited
by the members of his tribe — the Beni Hareb. I also gathered from the




' Salam Ailekom !'



conversation of those around, that my entertainer was both a sharife and
a hadji — that is, one claiming descent from the Prophet, and one who had
made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Upon the whole, I rather liked his ap-
pearance, but there was something exceedingly repulsive and sinister in
the manners and appearance of his sons and other relations.
At night All's wives presented us with a large dish of cooscoosoo.
With a " Bishmallah errachman errachman ! " — In the name of God, all
powerful and merciful ! — I thrust in my hand and made a hearty meal.
" Elhamed lilah ! " — God be praised ! — I exclaimed, finishing, and throw-
ing myself upon the ground just within the edge of the tent, but in such
a situation that I could command a good view outside. In a few minutes



2o8 KALOOLAH.
