were not Infidels, that he had persuaded no one to this pursuit, and
as far as depended on him alone, he was ready to return to Shvab.”
On this I turned to one of the vulgar, who was communicating
some of the accusations against me to the people of our caravan.
<■ Be thou silent, (said I,) would to God, that I were able to speak well
the Arabic, I would then ask questions of thee, and of hundreds like
thee, who are less instructed in the Islam than I am.” An old man
on this observed, “ This man is younger than the other, and yet
more courageous!” I immediately continued, “ My friend is not
afraid of thee, but thou oughtest to have fears of my friend s dost
thou know what it is to reproach a man, who lives with sultans and
with princes, with being an Infidel ?” I was then asked for what
purpose we carried Christian papers. I now found that my interpreter
had unwarily shewn a passport which I had obtained from
General Bonaparte, with a view not to be detained at the French
posts through which I was to pass to the caravan. My interpreter
at this moment came up, and finding me alive, and the assembly
less angry and violent, than when on being first questioned, he had
exasperated them by inconsiderate and perplexed answers; he?recovered
himself, and stood sufficiently composed and collected, whilst
I explained partly in German/partly in Arabic, what had passed,
Knowing, however, that the paper in question would be demanded,
and not choosing to trust to his prudence in the manner of producing
it • I went myself for it to the tent, and returning, brought likewise
a Koran with me. I immediately tendered the paper to a Chief of
the Siwabans, who having unfolded it, asked, “ if any bystander
could read it." I could not help smiling at the question, perilous
as was my situation. The same question was then put to us, when
I answered « that we did not understand what it contained, but
were told, it would allow us to quit Cairo without being molested.”
*< This is the book, (interrupted my interpreter,) which I understand
and immediately took the Koran from my hand. We were
ordered, by reading in it, to give proof of our being truly of the
religion. Our learning in this respect went far indeed beyond the
simple ability of reading. My companion knew the entire Koran by
heart, and as for me, I could even then write Arabic, and well too.
which with these people, was an extraordinary proficiency in learning.
We had scarcely given a sample of our respective talents,
when the chiefs of our caravan, who to this moment had been
silent, now took loudly our part; and many of the Siwahans too,
interfered in our favour. In short, the inquiry ended to our complete
advantage, though not without the murmuring of some in the
multitude, who lost the hopes of plunder which the occasion might
have afforded.
Thus the character of Mussulman which I assumed was firmly
established, and I shall not be subjected in future, to like inquiries,
on which, perhaps, more decisive proofs might be required, and
which I could not give. The security of my future voyage is thus
assured, and so great an advantage more than compensates for some
losses attending the above incident, but which yet I must regret.
During the time I was first in conference with the people of
Siwah, and those of the caravan, my baggage was left with my
interpreter; who in the paroxysms of his fears, and indeed with
no light apprehensions of our bales of goods being searched, took
my remains of mummies, my specimens of mineralogy, my more
detailed remarks, made on my way from Cairo to Schiacba, and
generally my books, and gave them to a confidential slave of my
Arab inmate, to bury them in a bog; this was done, and I never
afterwards could retrieve them.
F 2