chiefs and the fugitive remnant of their followers, who were opposite
Shendi, awaiting the decision of the Pasha, as to what was to be their
fate. I was told that the determination of the Pasha continued in their
regard the same, making the surrender of their arms and horses the sine
qua non of peace between him and them. Three days after, the chief of
Shendi returned home the friend of the Pasha.

On the 25th of the moon, I passed over to the eastern side of the river,
to purchase camels; as there were many buyers at this time from our
camp, I did not find any good enough for the exorbitant price demanded.
I passed the greater part of the day, and the night following, at the
town of Nousreddin, in the house of one of the principal chiefs of the
Berbers. He bears the title of Malek, as do all the distinguished chiefs
of Berber, Shageia, and Dongola. Their dignity is hereditary, generally
passing from father to son. I have noticed that the families of the
Maleks exceed the common people in respect of stature and stoutness. The
Malek, in whose house I lodged, a man about 60 years of age, was near
seven feet high, and very stout. His eldest son, a young man about
22 years of age, was about 6 feet 4 inches in stature, stout and well
proportioned. I imagine, that this superiority in size is owing to the
circumstance that they eat well and heartily, and have no work to
do beside seeing that others work for them. The family of this Malek
carried their hospitality towards me to a very extraordinary length for
people professing Islam. I was offered, by the mother and mistress of
the house, my choice of two of her daughters for a bedfellow. They were
both young, and the handsomest women I have seen in Berber, but married
to husbands whose houses were at the other end of the town. When
I understood this circumstance, I told the mother, that a genuine
Mussulman ought to regard lying with his neighbor's wife as a crime
almost as bad as murdering him in his bed.[36] I am sorry to be obliged