When they were all comfortably settled in one of these coaches ready for their journey, my wife stepped forward with her kodak to photograph them. In a moment they were tumbling out of their places, hurrying to get out of the range of the "Evil Eye"—for that is what they think the camera must be; they fear it may bring sickness or bad luck upon them.
* * * * *
THE SPAHIS.
While we were at Timgad a gaily coloured little band of mounted men came trailing across the plain, and finally made their halt close to us. They were a troop of "Spahis," or native cavalry of the French army in Algeria.
The men dress in Arab costume, with the white turban on their heads, a short red jacket, and baggy blue Turkish breeches with boots of red morocco leather. They also wear a huge red cloak in cold weather.
[Illustration: ASPAHI, OR NATIVE CAVALRYMAN OF THE FRENCH ARMY IN
ALGERIA.]
They are mounted on small grey Arab horses, and sit in a very high-peaked saddle, and the horses all wear blinkers. Altogether they make very picturesque soldiers, and at the same time are good riders and brave fighters.
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A TRAMPING CAMP.
Prom Biskra on the Sahara we started' on a walking tour among the mountains of the desert.