A large proportion of these were mounted, the best being foot-soldiers, of whom more were running up every minute, appearing out of bush that grew upon the hill-side, apparently to dispute our passage.

These people, who were black-faced with fuzzy hair upon which they wore no head-dress, all seemed to be armed with spears.
Presently from out of the mass of them two horsemen dashed forward, one of whom bore a white flag in token that they came to parley.

Our advance guard allowed them to pass and they galloped on, dodging in and out between the camels with wonderful skill till at length they came to where we were with Harut and Marut, and pulling up their horses so sharply that the animals almost sat down on their haunches, saluted by raising their spears.

They were very fine-looking fellows, perfectly black in colour with a negroid cast of countenance and long frizzled hair which hung down on to their shoulders.

Their clothing was light, consisting of hide riding breeches that resembled bathing drawers, sandals, and an arrangement of triple chains which seemed to be made of some silvery metal that hung from their necks across the breast and back.