He said that he himself would guide us to the nearest and largest cave.
We told him that we would be ready to start immediately after luncheon.
Only ourselves and a few men to carry cameras and guns were to constitute our party, the rest of the _safari_ remaining in camp, from which certain embassies were sent out to buy grain for the porters' food.
Soon after lunch the sultan arrived and we marched away.

Little by little groups of his janissaries, mamelukes, and other members of his official entourage joined us and by the time we reached the slope leading up to the great cave-dwelling we had quite an imposing procession.

Most of the natives were armed with spears and knives, and some of them had painted their bodies with red dirt and mutton grease, and when this coating had partly dried they had traced with their fingers many designs in stripes down their arms and legs.

Some were a light mauve in color, but most were of a rich chocolate brown.

The effect of these designs was rather pretty, but the dripping red oil from their hair was not pretty and on a hot day exuded a strong, overpowering odor.
Above us, nearly a thousand feet from where we stood, boldly visible in the face of the great cliff, was the broad ledge and black opening of the cave.