arabic, ivory, bides, senna, and bees’ wax; tbe latter
is tbe produce of Abyssinia. These articles are generally
collected by travelling native traders, wbo sell
to tbe larger merchants resident •O in Cassala and Kbar- toum, tbe two principal downs of tbe Soudan. Tbe
bazaar in Cassala was poor, as tbe principal articles
were tbose of low price, adapted to tbe wants of tbe
Arabs, wbo flock to tbe capital as a small London,
to make tbeir purchases of cloths, perfumery for tbe
women, copper cooking pots, &c.
The fortifications of the town, although useless
against cannon, are considered by tbe Arabs as im-
pregnable. Tbe walls are of solid mud and sunbaked
bricks, carefully loop-holed for musketry, while
a deep fosse, by which it is surrounded, is a safeguard
against a sudden surprise.
Tbese engineering precautions were rendered necessary
by- the ferocity of tbe Arabs, wbo fought tbe
Egyptians with great determination for some years
before they were finally subdued. Although tbe
weapons of all tbe Arab tribes are tbe simple sword
and lance, they defended tbeir country against tbe
regular troops of Egypt until they were completely
defeated by a scarcity of water, against which there
could be no resistance. Tbe Egyptians turned tbe
course of tbe river Gash, and entirely shut off the
supply from one portion of tbe country, while they
inundated another. This was effected by an immense
dam, formed of tbe stems of tbe dome palms, as a
double row of piles, while tbe interior was rendered
water-tight by a lining of matting filled up with
sand.
Cassala was built about twenty years before I visited
tbe country, after Taka bad been conquered and annexed
to Egypt. Tbe general annexation of tbe
Soudan and tbe submission of tbe numerous Arab
tribes to tbe Viceroy have been tbe first steps necessary
to tbe improvement of tbe country. Although
tbe Egyptians are bard masters, and do not trouble
themselves about tbe future well-being of tbe conquered
races, it must be remembered that prior to tbe
annexation, all tbe tribes were at war among themselves.
There was neither government nor law ; thus
tbe whole country was closed to Europeans. At present,
there is no more danger in travelling in Upper
Egypt than in crossing Hyde Park after dark, provided
tbe traveller be just and courteous. At tbe time of
my visit to Cassala in 1861, tbe Arab tribes were
separately governed by tbeir own chiefs or sheiks,
wbo were responsible to tbe Egyptian authorities for
tbe taxes due from tbeir people : since that period,
the entire tribes of all denominations have been placed
under tbe authority of that grand old Arab patriarch
Acbmet Abou Sinn, to be hereafter mentioned. Tbe
Sheik Moosa, of tbe Haddendowa tribe, was in prison
during our stay in that country, for some breach of
discipline in bis dealings with tbe Egyptian Government.
The iron band of despotism has produced a
marvellous change among tbe Arabs, wbo are rendered
utterly powerless by tbe system of government