Abdullah was an excellent cook
and a very good fellow; but he was dull at learning Arabic. He
invariably distinguished cocks and hens as "bulls" and "women."
The last and the smallest boy of the household was little Cuckoo (or
Kookoo).
Cuckoo was a sturdy child of about six years old: this boy had, I
believe, run away from his parents in the Bari during the war, and had
come to Morgian our interpreter, when food was scarce among the tribe.
Following the dictates of his appetite, he had been attracted by the
savoury smell of Abdullah's kitchen, and he had drawn nearer and nearer
to our establishment, until at length by playing with the boys, and
occasionally being invited to share in their meals, Cuckoo had become
incorporated with the household.
Abdullah and the six boys formed the native domestic corps. My wife, who
was their commanding officer, had them all dressed in uniform. They had
various suits of short, loose trousers reaching half-way down the calf
of the leg, with a shirt or blouse secured at the waist with a leather
belt and buckle. These belts were made in England, and were about six
feet long; thus they passed twice round the waist, and were very useful
when travelling, in case of a strap and buckle being required suddenly.
