Vlll CONTENTS. Plan of Sortie—General Baker’s Consent necessary—Inspection of Troops—Quality of Soldiers—Major Giles and the Enemy’s Spies—Sharks in Harbour—Heroic Conduct of Krooman— Arrival of Euryalus with Admiral Hewett—General Aspect of Affairs—Mahmoud Aly fails to relieve Sinkat—Number killed in Major Cassim’s Fight—Behaviour of Old Soldiers of Suakim Garrison—Complaints about a Mosque being used for Stores—Mr. Brewster appointed Chief of the Commissariat— Arrival of a Spy from Sinkat—His Adventures—Social Customs of Arabs—Threat of Attack—Osman Digma’s House at Suakim —Embroidered Mat and Camel’s Ornaments—Inner Fortified Lines—Arrival of Mahallah with European Police—Tea on board the Ranger... ... ... ... ... ... ... 123 CHAPTER IX. CHRISTMAS IN CAMP. My Husband makes a Reconnaissance towards Handub—My Nervous ness owing to his Delay—Relieved by seeing Camels—Their Speed—Bashi-Bazouks driving them in—Numbers taken— Suleiman Pasha wants to give them up—His Ideas—Refuses to allow Massowali Soldiers to remain—Want of Revolvers for Officers and Shoes for Men—Our Farmyard—Horses and Camels always saddled, as in the “ Lay of the Last Minstrel ” —MajorGiles’s Reconnaissance—Bashi-Bazouks not to be trusted under Fire-—Dinner to the Admiral—Guests—Wild Flowers and Table Ornaments—More Firing from the Enemy—Arrival of General Baker—Vessels in Harbour—News of Zebehr Pasha’s Nephew—Parade for General Baker—Dinner on Board the Euryalus — Luxury of Naval Officers—Christmas Day at Suakim—Thoughts of Home—Christmas Dinner-party—Mem bers of the Mess, all Vagrom Men—General Baker determined to go to Massowah—The Last Day of the Year—Summary of Events—Arrival of Sheikh Magranee ... 149 CHAPTER X. SHEIKH MAGRANEE. New Year’s Visits—My Husband interviews Sheikh Magranee—His Quarters—Reception of the English Officers—The Sheikh’s Sermon—Arrangements for his Official Reception—We go up to Camp to see it—Description of Procession—Women screaming the “ Zaghareet ”—Reception by my Husband of the Sheikh—Old Woman cured by Touch of Sheikh—Dinner given by Abdul Russak — Speeches — Band plays “ God
