cleared of those who had pressed in upon us, and we moved on, although but very slowly, from the frequent impediment thrown in our way by these wild equestrians. The sheikh’s negroes, as they were called, meaning the black chiefs and favourites, all raised to that rank by some deed of bravery, were habited in coats of mail composed of iron chain, which covered them from the throat to the knees, dividing behind, and coming on each side of the horse : some of them had helmets, or rather skullcaps, of the same metal, with chin-pieces, all sufficiently strong to ward off the shock of a spear. Their horses’ heads were also defended by plates of iron, brass, and silver, just leaving sufficient room for the eyes of the animal. At length, on arriving at the gate of the town, ourselves, .Boo- Khaloom, and about a dozen of his followers, were alone allowed to enter the gates ; and we proceeded along a wide street completely lined with spearmen on foot, with cavalry in front of them, to the door of the sheikh’s residence. Here th e horsemen were formed up three deep, and we came to a stand : some of the chief attendants came out, and after a great many “ Barca’s ! Barca’s.!” retired, when others performed the same ceremony. We were now again left sitting on our horses in the sun : Boo-Khaloom began to lose all patience, and swore by the bashaw’s head, that he would return to the tents if he was not immediately admitted : he got, however, no satisfaction but a motion of the hand from one of the chiefs, meaning “ wait patiently and I whispered to him the necessity of obeying^ as we were hemmed in on all sides, and to retire without permission would have been as difficult as to advance. Barca Gana now appeared, and made a sign that Boo-Khaloom should dismount : we were about to follow his example, when an intimation that Boo- Khaloom was alone to be admitted again fixed us to our saddles. Another half hour at least passed without any news from the interior
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