Should I lose the Tokrooris, the Hamran Arabs would have the entire preponderance.
The whole of my Tokrooris formed in line before me and my wife, just as the camels were about to leave.

Each man had his little bundle prepared for starting on a journey.

Old Moosa was the spokesman.

He said that they were all very sorry; that they regretted exceedingly the necessity of leaving us, but some of them were sick, and they would only be a burden to the expedition; that one of them was bound upon a pilgrimage to Mecca, and that God would punish him should he neglect this great duty; others had not left any money with their families in Katariff, that would starve in their absence.

(I had given them an advance of wages, when they engaged at Katariff, to provide against this difficulty.) I replied: "My good fellows, I am very sorry to hear all this, especially as it comes upon me so suddenly; those who are sick stand upon one side" (several invalids, who looked remarkably healthy, stepped to the left).