Basé themselves unless for the purpose of hunting.
Several beautiful rivers descend from the mountain
ranges, which ultimately flow into the Atbara ; these,
unlike the latter river, are never dry ; thus, with a
constant supply of water, in a country of forest and
herbage, the Basé abounds in elephants, rhinoceros,
hippopotami, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and
great numbers of the antelope tribe.
Cassala, thus situated on the confines of the Taka
country, is an important military point in the event
of war between Egypt and Abyssinia, as the Basé
would be invaluable as allies to the Egyptians; their
country commands the very heart of Abyssinia, and
their knowledge of the roads would be an incalculable
advantage to an invading force.
On the 14th July I had concluded my arrangements
for the start ; there had ■ been some difficulty
in procuring camels, but the all-powerful
firman was a never-failing talisman, and, as the
Arabs had declined to let their animals for hire, the
Governor despatched a number of soldiers and seized
the required number, including their owners. I engaged
two wild young Arabs of eighteen and twenty
years of age, named Bacheet and AVat Gamma, the
latter being interpreted signifies “ Son of the Moon.”
This in no way suggests lunacy, but the young Arab
had happened to enter this world on the day of the
new moon, which was considered to be a particularly
fortunate and brilliant omen at his birth. Whether
the climax of his good fortune had arrived at the
moment he entered my service, I know not, but, if
so, there was a cloud over his happiness in his subjection
to Mahomet, the dragoman, who rejoiced in
the opportunity of bullying the two inferiors. Wat
Gamma was a quiet, steady, welbconducted lad, who
bore oppression mildly; but the younger, Bacheet, was
a fiery, wild young Arab, who, although an excellent
boy in his peculiar way, was almost incapable of being
tamed and domesticated. I at once perceived that
Mahomet would have a determined rebel to control,
which I confess I did not regret. Wages were not
high in this part of the world,—the lads were engaged
at one and a half dollar per month and their keep.
Mahomet, who was a great man, suffered from the
same complaint to which great men are (in those
countries) particularly subject: wherever, he went, he
was attacked with claimants of relationship; he was
overwhelmed with professions of friendship from
people who claimed to be connexions of some of his
family; in fact, if all the ramifications of his race
were correctly represented by the. claimants of relationship,
Mahomet’s family tree would have shaded
the Nubian desert.
We all have our foibles;—the strongest fort has
its feeble point* as the chain snaps. at its weakest
link;—family pride was Mahomet’s weak link. This
was his tender point; and Mahomet,, the great and
the imperious, yielded to the gentle scratching of his
ear if a stranger claimed connexion o with his ancient
lineage.. Of course he had no family, with the
G 2