the - advantage it affords of more easily proceeding by narrow and
rugged passes among the mountains, and evading or attacking any
enemy, who from ignorance of the country, or from the nature of
its cattle requiring safer roads, is obliged to confine its march to
broader defiles or vallies. Some men were immediately dispatched
from the caravan, requiring the Siwahans to halt at half a niile
distance from our post. The night passed in disquietude and alarm :
each got his arms in readiness, and prepared for a battle on the
ensuing day. A little before sun-rise, the Siwahans advanced on
foot, and gave apprehension of immediate attack. Some Augilans
rode forward, to inquire their intentions, and were answered, “ that
the caravan had nothing to fear:” on reporting this to the Sheik,
he sent the messengers back, to say he should consider and treat
them as enemies, if they advanced a step further. On this message
the Siwahans halted, formed a circle, and invited some Augilans to
a conference. During all this time, I remained quiet with my baggage,
having sent my interpreter to collect intelligence of what was
passing. Seeing him return, and judging from his manner and
haste, that he had something of importance to communicate, I ran
to meet him. He immediately accosted me with, “ cursed be the
moment, when I determined upon this journey ; we are both of us
unavoidably lost men; they take us for Christians and spies, and
will assuredly put us to death.” With these words he left me, and
ran to the baggage, where he exchanged his single gun for my
double barrelled one, and armed himself with two brace of pistols.
1 upbraided him with his want of firmness, told him .“ 'a-steady and
resolute conduct could alone preserve ourselves and friends, and
reminded him that his present behaviour was precisely such as to
give weight to the suspicions entertained :” I further urged, “ that
on his own account he had nothing to fear, having for twelve
years been a Mahommedan, and perfectly acquainted with the
religion and customs ; that myself alone was in danger, and that I
hoped to avert it, provided he did not intermeddle with my defence.”
«Friend, (answered he,) you will never hear of danger: but this
time you will pay for your temerity.”
Perceiving that terror had wholly deprived him of the necessary
temper and recollection, I now left him to himself, and walked up
unarmed, but with a firm and manly step, to this tumultuous
assembly.
I entered , the circle, and offered the Mahometan salutation,.
« Assulam Alckum,” but none of the Siwahans returned it. Some of
them immediately exclaimed,— “ You are of the new Christians
from Cairo, and come to explore our country.” Had I at this time,
been as: well acquainted with Mahometan fanaticism, and the character
of the Arabs, as I have been since, I should have deduced my
defence from the very terms of the accusation, and/stated that I was
indeed from Cairo, having fled from the Infidels; as it was, I answered
nothing to this general clamour, but sat down and directed
my speech to one of the Chiefs, whose great influence I knew, and
who had been: often in my tent whilst at Siwab. “ Tell me, brother,
(said I,) hast thou ever before known 300 armed men take a journey
of three days, in pursuit of two men, who dwelt in their midst for ten
days, who had eaten and drank with them as friends, and whose
tents were open to them all ? Thyself hast found us praying and
reading the Koran'; and now thou sayest we are Infidels from
Cairo; that is, one of those from whom we f ly ! Dost thop not
know, that it is a great sin to tell one of the faithful that he is a
Pagan ?” I spoke this with an earnest and resolute tone, and many
of the congregation seemed gained over by it, and disposed to be
favourable to me: the man replied, « that he was convinced we
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