Volume I Part 5 (1/2)

Galut Ali.

Usman amir.

Alewa Ahmed.

30. Mohammed Ajizah.

And lastly (31), the carpenter, 'Ali Sulayman; a ”knowing dodger,” who brought with him a little stock-in-trade of tobacco, cigarette-paper, and similar comforts.

There were five soldiers, or rather matchlock-men, engaged from the fort-garrison, El-Muwaylah:--

Husayn Bayrakdar; a man who has travelled, and has become too clever by half. He was equally remarkable as a liar and as a cook.

Bukhayt Ahmed, generally known as El-Ahmar from his red coat; a d.i.n.ka slave, some sixty years old, and looking forty-five. He was still a savage, never sleeping save in the open air.

Bukhayt Mohammed, popularly termed El-Aswad; a Forawi (Dar-Forian) and a good man. He was called ”The Shadow of the Bey.”

Ahmed Salih; a stout fellow, and the worst of guides.

Salim Yusuf.

The head of the caravan was the Sayyid' Abd el-Rahim, accountant at the Fort el-Muwaylah, of whom I have spoken before. He was subsequently recommended by me to his Highness for the post of n.a.z.ir or commandant.

Haji Wali, my old Cairene friend, who lost no time in bolting.

There were also generally three Bedawi Shaykhs, who, by virtue of their office, received each one dollar (twenty piastres) per diem.

The servants and camp followers were:--

Anton Dimitriadis, the dragoman; a Bakkal or small shopkeeper at Zagazig, and a tenant of Haji Wali.

Giorgi (Jorgos) Sifenus, the cook, whose main disadvantage was his extreme and ultra-Greek uncleanliness.

Petro Giorgiadis, of Zante; a poor devil who has evidently been a waiter in some small Greek cafe which supplies a cup per hour.

These three men were a great mistake; but, as has been said, poor health at Cairo prevented my looking into details.

Yusuf el-Fazi, Dumanji or quartermaster from the Mukhbir, acting servant to Captain Ahmed, and a thoroughly good man. He was also recommended for promotion.

Ahmed, the Sais or mule-groom; another pauvre diable, rascally withal, who was flogged for selling the mules' barley to the Bedawin. He was a.s.sisted by the Corporal (and barber) Mohammed Sulayman and by five quarrymen.

Husayn Ganinah; a one-eyed little Fellah, fourteen years old, looking ten, and knowing all that a man of fifty knows. He was body-servant to Lieutenant Yusuf.

As usual, the caravan was accompanied by a suttler from El-Muwaylah, one Hamad, who sold tobacco, coffee, clarified b.u.t.ter, and so forth. He was chaffed with the saying, Hamad fi'

bayt ak--”Thy house is a pauper.”

Finally, there were two dogs: Juno, a Clumber spaniel, young and inexperienced; Paiki, a pariah, also a pup.

Besides these two permanents, various ”casuals,” the dog 'Brahim, etc., attached themselves to our camp.

Chapter II.