CHAPTER II

THE DESERT

The Frontier Districts Administration — The Camel Corps — Harimat — Story of a stove — The Booza Camp — The men — Diary of trek from Sollum to Siwa — Departure — Augerin, a Roman cistern — Bir Hamed — A desert dance — Ascent of Scarp — Qur el Beid — Camel riding — Evening on the desert — Camp — Utter desert — Mud pans — Mirage — “Khuz” bread — Desert tracks — Bisharin trackers — Night marching — A caravan — “The country of Dogs” — Among the ravines — The Megahiz Spring — Siwa — District Officer’s House — “Taking over” wives — A typical day — Siwan manners — The Sheikhs — The staff — View from Siwa — Aghourmi village — A slave woman — A rifle raid 37