CHAPTER XIII.

LIFE IN KHARTOUM.

FIVE months in Khartoum were, to me, longer than any period I had ever remained stationary before in my life. Those months seemed years, for there was little society, little activity, little to change the current of daily existence. I looked forward to but one day, and that the one which should bring the high Nile and a north wind. Azar, the Consul who at first took me under his patriarchal care, obtained for me a house in the densely populated portion of the city, but it did not suit me. The Nile was too far away; the gov. ernmental people with whom I had to deal were not my neighbors, and without sociability there was nothing to support the dreary hours of the long African day. I therefore sent my chasseur Giovanni to search for other and more eligible quarters. He hit the mark; and in twenty-four hours, at the risk of offending Azar, I had moved into the mud mansion formerly occupied by the Poncet brothers-ivory traders who, in their

way, had

contributed to the literature of African travel. The house was, in reality, two houses in the same yard, and, in some respects, was the finest in Khartoum. The high Turkish wall ran around on all sides, and separated me from the harems of my neighbors; but, from my racoba, did not prevent me from witnessing many scenes of domestic strife, which convinced me that plurality of wives is not productive of harmony. Indeed, the marriage relation, even where it is held as between a single pair, is rarely a happy one. The husband and wife have no domestic property in common. The former is "my lord and master," the latter an obedient slave.

It was soon made known that I was to become a resident of Khartoum, and, for various reasons, I became an object of many attentions. This necessitated a well-appointed household, and, as I had ample room, I did not hesitate to take numerous domestics, ranging in wages from $2 to $5 per month. With the aid and advice of Azar, I completed the roll by employing fourteen, among whom were two cooks, two water carriers, a boab (doorkeeper), two market men, and a personal servant. Thus situated, my life was a simple one. My daily occupation was studying Arabic, and the people