mortem solicitas." He said, "What language is that?" "Don't you know ancient French ?" "Ancient French! I don't know either ancient or modern French." "And how are you, doctor?" said I. "Very well, at your service." "Thank you, I do

not wish for your services; you have others to serve all the soldiers." "I told his Excellence the Medir, that you ought to be bled when you were lying like dead of the fever; but he would not let me, without asking you." "He was a wise man not to let you," said I, "but it is ten days since you wished to bleed; why have you never come?" "I have been busy with the soldiers." "Then how many have you killed? I mean to ask how many are dead; how many alive?" The doctor became very pale, and bit his tongue; but replied, with gentleness, (if he knew of what race it was), and even humility, "Two are dead, one last week, one this; the first had fever for four weeks, and the other nine.' "And how many are now in your hands?" "Several; there are some who will, perhaps, follow their companions; but what can I do? I go twice a-day to see them, and frequently bleed them ?" I remarked that doctering did not consist in taking all their blood, but to know the nature of their disease, and take other means to extirpate it-medicine, for instance. I am not capable of describing each malady, yet this is necessary. You seem to me full of experience, having been with the French doctor so many years, you must have had some medicine in

your hands; if you were not a brave fellow, you would not have been sent here." He became quite proud at my panegyric, and did not perceive that it was ironical; for with glee he said, "There are very few who would come here. I am the only doctor in Cordofan-the only one in all Cordofan!" Cordofan is a foreign name; but I think it may be formed from Kor (ground to be cultivated), and Fan (a proper name) added for euphony. Pretending to speak seriously, I told him he ought to call himself physician to the Medir, to the governor and government, the Mufdi, and soldiers, and all Cordofan and Lobaied, adding, internally, and butcher to all the reasoning inhabitants of Cordofan.

Whilst amusing myself thus, Giaber brought me something to eat, for my stomach now required frequent supplies. The doctor asked what it was. "A little rice; I am very sorry that it should be so little, otherwise I would say :-' Besm Illeh Alaic Elrusal.' (See Chapter xv.)

We then bade each other adieu, and I asked Giaber if he would go and cook for us on the journey, to which he assented, provided the Medir would give him to us. A little more talk on this point, and then he quitted me. I felt myself improving, and beginning to regain my strength. I slept well all the night. " Deo gratias !" said I, the next morning when the Medir came and told me he had had fever for three days. I advised him not to expose himself to

"Can

the North wind. He left and the captain came. you sit on a dromedary?" demanded he. "Oh, yes! certainly" and he went off quite contented. Had I spoke the truth? No! because I knew I could but pray to God to have compassion on my soul. I must die once; where and when were of little moment, if I died in Him.

Shortly the captain returned to give me notice that he would return to Kartum, by a short and new road, as two tribes of Arabs were at war in the Desert of Dongola, and there was danger that we should be attacked. The Medir was to send his dromedarist and M. Patrick, his servant, with us for four or five days. "So now," added the captain, "I will get the backshish ready for Rrihan, Serur, and Giaber; but first of all I will get something to eat, and then we will arrange matters." So he went away, and I was left alone.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE LAST HALF-DAY AT LOBAIED AND

DEPARTURE IN

RETURN, ON THE MORNING OF THE 27TH, TO KORSI.

AT noon I called Rrihan, and told him when he had finished serving the Captain, to tell Giaber to cook me a dish of rice. At one the dinner was brought me by Giaber. I, wishing as usual to jest with him, said, "Giaber, this is the last dinner that thou hast brought me."

"He said-Wallah Takauagia Jusef. I am very sorry that you are going: you are not quite strong. I like you so much, you are so kind."

"Oh no, Giaber, you are really kind, with Rrihan, Serur, and Cucco" (the soldier who brought milk for the Captain).

"Uallahi, Ali tells us that you are a very gentle person."

"Do not believe Ali, because I gave him three piastres to buy shoes."

"Oh no, Rrihan and Serur told me.”

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"Il kauagia Jusef Uallah Ibn Halal has taught

us with great kindness to make sciarbat (lemonade),

Р

and he suffers so much without groaning and crying, like

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I laughed, and said, "Giaber?"

"Naam Sidi."

"This evening you will roast me a little cobab?"
"Mata?" (when.)

"About sunset."

Yes, sir; ala Rasi uaeni"-(upon my head and eyes -a phrase used to indicate pleasure in serving you).

At two in the afternoon I went out into the Divan to walk. The Captain came immediately to join me, and said, "I have given the tin box full of tea to Mr. Patrick, and I wish to offer to the Medir the sixbarrelled pistol."

"You will do well," I replied. "What shall we do with the quantity of tobacco brought from Cairo here?" "Give it to Patrick's servant to divide between himself and the dromedarymen, who are going to accompany us."

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Very well. I will give sixty piastres to each of the three Moors as bachshish-to Rrihan, Serur, and Giaber, who have well served us."

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Very well; then I will go and give it to them. It would be better in the evening; then you may call them, and tell them we have been pleased with their service, and that you wish to make them a present of sixty piastres each."

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Very well. What do we need for the journey ? Bread? The Medir has already prepared a bag of dried