That your highness should wish for an explanation of the very doubtful
language which you overheard last night, I am not surprised; but I trust
you will acknowledge, when I have finished my narrative, that I was
fully justified in the expressions which I made use of. I am by birth
(as my dress denotes) a fellah of this country, but I was not always so
poor as I am now. My father was the possessor of many camels, which he
let out for hire to the merchants of the different caravans which
annually leave this city. When he died, I came into possession of his
property, and the good-will of those whom he had most faithfully served.
The consequence was, that I had full employ, my camels were always
engaged; and, as I invariably accompanied them that they might not be
ill-treated, I have several times been to Mecca, as this ragged green
turban will testify. My life was one of alternate difficulty and
enjoyment. I returned to my wife and children with delight after my
journeys of suffering and privation, and fully appreciated the value of
my home from the short time that my occupation would permit me to remain
there. I worked hard, and became rich.
It was during a painful march through the desert with one of the
caravans, that a favourite she-camel foaled. At first it was my
intention to leave the young one to its fate, as my camels had already
suffered much; but, on examination, the creature showed such strength
and symmetry that I resolved to bring it up. I therefore divided half
of one of the loads between the other camels, and tied the foal upon the
one which I had partly relieved for the purpose. We arrived safely at
Cairo; and, as the little animal grew up, I had more than ever reason to
be satisfied that I had saved its life. All good judges considered it a
prodigy of beauty and strength; and prophesied that it would some day be
selected as the holy camel to carry the Koran in the pilgrimage to
Mecca. And so it did happen about five years afterwards, during which
interval I accompanied the caravans as before; and each year added to my
wealth.
My camel had by this time arrived to his full perfection; he stood
nearly three feet higher than any other; and, when the caravan was
preparing, I led him to the sheiks, and offered him as a candidate for
the honour. They would have accepted him immediately, had it not been
for a maribout, who, for some reason or another, desired them not to
employ him, asserting that the caravan would be unlucky if my camel was
the bearer of the holy Koran.
As this man was considered to be a prophet, the sheiks were afraid, and
would not give a decided answer. Irritated at the maribout's
interference, I reviled him; he raised a hue and cry against me; and,
being joined by the populace, I was nearly killed. As I hastened away,
the wretch threw some sand after me, crying out, "Thus shall the caravan
perish from the judgment of heaven, if that cursed camel is permitted to
carry the holy word of the Prophet." The consequence was, that an
inferior camel was selected, and I was disappointed. But on the ensuing
year the maribout was not at Cairo; and, as there was no animal equal to
mine in beauty, it was chosen by the sheiks without a dissentient voice.
I hastened home to my wife, overjoyed with my good fortune, which I
hoped would bring a blessing upon my house. She was equally delighted,
and my beautiful camel seemed also to be aware of the honour to which he
was destined, as he repaid our caresses, curving and twisting his long
neck, and laying his head upon our shoulders.
The caravan assembled: it was one of the largest which for many years
had quitted Cairo, amounting in all to eighteen thousand camels. You
may imagine my pride when, as the procession passed through the streets,
I pointed out to my wife the splendid animal, with his bridle studded
with jewels and gold, led by the holy sheiks in their green robes,
carrying on his back the chest which contained the law of our prophet,
looking proudly on each side of him as he walked along, accompanied by
bands of music, and the loud chorus of the singing men and women.
As on the ensuing day the caravan was to form outside of the town, I
returned home to my family, that I might have the last of their company,
having left my other camels, who were hired by the pilgrims, in charge
of an assistant who accompanied me in my journeys. The next morning I
bade adieu to my wife and children; and was quitting the house, when my
youngest child, who was about two years old, called to me, and begged me
to return one moment, and give her a farewell caress. As I lifted her
in my arms, she, as usual, put her hand into the pocket of my loose
jacket to search, as I thought, for the fruit that I usually brought
home for her when I returned from the bazaar; but there was none there:
and having replaced her in the arms of her mother, I hastened away that
I might not be too late at my post. Your highness is aware that we do
not march one following another, as most caravans do, but in one
straight line abreast. The necessary arrangement occupies the whole day
previous to the commencement of our journey, which takes place
immediately after the sun goes down. We set off that evening; and after
a march of two nights, arrived at Adjeroid, where we remained three
days, to procure our supplies of water from Suez, and to refresh the
animals, previous to our forced march over the desert of El Tyh.
The last day of our repose, as I was smoking my pipe, with my camels
kneeling down around me, I perceived a herie [a swift dromedary] coming
from the direction of Cairo, at a very swift pace; it passed by me like
a flash of lightning, but still I had sufficient time to recognise in
its rider the maribout who had prophesied evil if my camel was employed
to carry the Koran on the pilgrimage of the year before.
The maribout stopped his dromedary at the tent of the emir Hadjy, who
commanded the caravan. Anxious to know the reason of his following us,
which I had a foreboding was connected with my camel, I hastened to the
spot. I found him haranguing the emir and the people who had surrounded
him, denouncing woe and death to the whole caravan if my camel was not
immediately destroyed, and another selected in his stead. Having for
some time declaimed in such an energetic manner as to spread
consternation throughout the camp, he turned his dromedary again to the
west, and in a few minutes was out of sight.
The emir was confused; murmurings and consultations were arising among
the crowd. I was afraid that they would listen to the suggestions of
the maribout; and, alarmed for my camel, and the loss of the honour
conferred upon him, I was guilty of a lie.
"O! emir," said I, "listen not to that man who is mine enemy: he came to
my house, he ate of my bread, and would have been guilty of the basest
ingratitude by seducing the mother of my children; I drove him from my
door, and thus would he revenge himself. So may it fare with me, and
with the caravan, as I speak the truth."
I was believed; the injunctions of the maribout were disregarded, and
that night we proceeded on our march through the plains of El Tyh.
As your highness has never yet made a pilgrimage, you can have no
conception of the country which we had to pass through: it was one vast
region of sand, where the tracks of those who pass over it are
obliterated by the wind,--a vast sea without water,--an expanse of
desolation. We plunged into the desert; and as the enormous collection
of animals, extending as far as the eye could reach, held their
noiseless way, it seemed as if it were the passing by of shadows.
We met with no accident, notwithstanding the prophecies of the maribout;
and, after a fatiguing march of seven nights, arrived safely at Nakhel,
where we replenished our exhausted water-skins. Those whom I knew joked
with me, when we met at the wells, at the false prophecies of my enemy.
We had now three days of severe fatigue to encounter before we arrived
at the castle of Akaba, and we recommenced our painful journey.
It was on the morning of the second day, about an hour after we had
pitched our tents, that the fatal prophecy of the maribout, and the
judgment of Allah upon me, for the lie which I had called on him to
witness, was fulfilled.
A dark cloud appeared upon the horizon; it gradually increased, changing
to a bright yellow; then rose and rose until it had covered one half of
the firmament, when it suddenly burst upon us in a hurricane which
carried every thing before it, cutting off mountains of sand at the
base, and hurling them upon our devoted heads. The splendid tent of the
emir, which first submitted to the blast, passed close to me, flying
along with the velocity of the herie, while every other was either
levelled to the ground or carried up into the air, and whirled about in
mad gyration.
Moving pillars of sand passed over us, overthrowing and suffocating man
and beast; the camels thrust their muzzles into the ground, and,
profiting by their instinct, we did the same, awaiting our fate in
silence and trepidation. But the simoom had not yet poured upon us all
its horrors: in a few minutes nothing was to be distinguished--all was
darkness, horrible darkness, rendered more horrible by the ravings of
dying men, the screams of women, and the mad career of horses and other
animals, which breaking their cords, trod down thousands in their
endeavours to escape from the overwhelming fury of the desert storm.
I had laid myself down by one of my camels, and thrusting my head under
his side, awaited my death with all the horror of one who felt that the
wrath of heaven was justly poured upon him. For an hour I remained in
that position, and surely there can be no pains in hell greater than
those which I suffered during that space of time. The burning sand
forced itself into my garments, the pores of any skin were closed, I
hardly ventured to breathe the hot blast which was offered as the only
means of protracted existence. At last I fetched my respiration with
greater freedom, and no more heard the howling of the blast. Gradually
I lifted up my head, but my eyes had lost their power, I could
distinguish nothing but a yellow glare. I imagined that I was blind,
and what chance could there be for a man who was blind in the desert of
El Tyh? Again I laid my head down, thought of my wife and children, and
abandoning myself to despair, I wept bitterly.
The tears that I shed had a resuscitating effect upon my frame. I felt
revived, and again lifted up my head--I could see! I prostrated myself
in humble thanksgiving to Allah, and then rose upon my feet. Yes, I
could see; but what a sight was presented to my eyes! I could have
closed them for ever with thankfulness. The sky was again serene, and
the boundless prospect uninterrupted as before; but the thousands who
accompanied me, the splendid gathering of men and beast, where were
they? Where was the emir Hadjy and his guards? where the mamelukes, the
agas, the janissaries, and the holy sheiks? the sacred camel, the
singers, and musicians? the varieties of nations and tribes who had
joined the caravan? All perished!! Mountains of sand marked the spots
where they had been entombed, with no other monuments save here and
there part of the body of a man or beast not yet covered by the desert
wave. All, all were gone, save one and that one, that guilty one, was
myself, who had been permitted to exist, that he might behold the awful
mischief which had been created by his presumption and his crime.
For some minutes I contemplated the scene, careless and despairing; for
I imagined that I had only been permitted to outlive the whole, that my
death might be even more terrible. But my wife and children rushed to
my memory, and I resolved for their sakes to save, if possible a life
which had no other ties to bind it to this earth. I tore off a piece of
my turban, and cleansing the sand out of my bleeding nostrils, walked
over the field of death.
Between the different hillocks I found several camels which had not been
covered. Perceiving a water skin, I rushed to it, that I might quench
my raging thirst; but the contents had been dried up--not a drop
remained. I found another, but I had no better success. I then
determined to open one of the bodies of the camels, and obtain the water
which it might still have remaining in its stomach. This I effected,
and having quenched my thirst--to which even the heated element which I
poured down, seemed delicious--I hastened to open the remainder of the
animals before putrefaction should take place, and collect the scanty
supplies in the water-skins. I procured more than half a skin of water,
and then returned to my own camel, which I had laid down beside of,
during the simoom. I sat on the body of the animal, and reflected upon
the best method of proceeding. I knew that I was but one day's journey
from the springs; but how little chance had I of reaching them! I also
knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
resolved to make the attempt.
As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night,
and, by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When
the sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed
to his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon
arrived, my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could
see the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under
their shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been
magnified.
So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and
the stars as they lighted up warned me that I might continue my journey.
I drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary
way. I followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses
of former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
which I had previously imbibed large draughts of the refreshing fluid.
What happiness was then mine! How heavenly, to lay under the shade,
breathing the cool air, listening to the warbling of the birds, and
inhaling the perfume of the flowers, which luxuriated on that delightful
spot! After an hour I stripped, bathed myself, and, taking another
draught of water, fell into a sound sleep.
I awoke refreshed, but suffering under the cravings of hunger, which now
assailed me. I had been three days without food; but hitherto I had not
felt the want of it, as my more importunate thirst had overcome the
sensation. Now that the greater evil had been removed, the lesser
increased and became hourly more imperious. I walked out and scanned
the horizon with the hopes of some caravan appearing in sight, but I
watched in vain; and returned to the fountain. Two more days passed
away, and no relief was at hand: my strength failed me; I felt that I
was dying; and, as the fountain murmured, and the birds sang, and the
cool breeze fanned my cheeks, I thought that it would have been better
to have been swallowed up in the desert than to be tantalised by
expiring in such a paradise. I laid myself down to die, for I could sit
up no more; and as I turned round to take a last view of the running
water, which had prolonged my existence, something hard pressed against
my side. I thought it was a stone, and stretched out my hand to remove
it, that I might be at ease in my last moments; but when I felt, there
was no stone there it was something in the pocket of my jacket. I put
my hand in, unconscious what it could be; I pulled it out, and looking
at it before I threw it away, found that it was a piece of _hard dry
bread_. I thought that it had been sent to me from heaven, and it was
as pure an offering as if it had come from thence, for it was the gift
of innocence and affection--it was the piece of bread which my little
darling girl had received for her breakfast, and which on my departure
she had thrust into my pocket, when I imagined she had been searching
for fruit. I crawled to the spring, moistened it, and devoured it with
tears of gratitude to heaven, mingled with the fond yearnings of a
father's heart.
It saved my life; for the next day a small caravan arrived, which was
bound to Cairo. The merchants treated me with great kindness, tied me
on one of the camels, and I once more embraced my family, whom I had
never thought to see again. Since that I have been poor, but
contented--I deserved to lose all my property for my wickedness; and I
submit with resignation to the will of Allah.
And now I trust that your highness will acknowledge that I was justified
in making use of the expression, that "Happy was the man who could at
_all times_ command a _crust of bread_!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Very true," observed the pacha; "that's not a bad story: Mustapha, give
him five pieces of gold, and allow him to depart."
The camel-driver quitted the divan, prostrating himself before the
pacha, and overjoyed at the fortunate termination of what had threatened
so much danger. The pacha was silent for a little while, during which
he puffed his pipe--when he observed:--
"Allah kebur, God is most powerful! That man has suffered much--and
what has he to show for it?--a green turban.--He is a hadjy; I never
thought that we should have heard so good a story about a `crust of
bread.' His description of the simoom parched up my entrails. What
think you, Mustapha, cannot a true believer go to Heaven without a visit
to the tomb of the Prophet?"
"The holy Koran does not say otherwise, your highness, it inculcates
that all who can, should do so, as the path will be rendered easier.
Min Allah! God forbid! Has your highness ever had the time to go to
Mecca, and is not your highness to go to Heaven?"
"Very true, Mustapha, I never had time. In my youth I was busy shaving
heads: after that, Wallah! I had enough to do, splitting them; and now
am not I fully occupied in taking them off? Is it not so, Mustapha; are
not these the words of truth?"
"Your highness is all wisdom. There is but one God, and Mahomet is his
prophet; and when the latter said, that a visit to the holy shrine would
be a passport to heaven, it was intended to employ those who were idle,
not to embarrass true believers who work hard in the name of the Most
High!"
"Min Allah! God forbid! the case is clear," replied the pacha, "why, if
every body were to go to Mecca what then, Mustapha?"
"Your highness--it is the opinion of your slave, if such were to take
place, that all the fools would have left the country."
"Very true, Mustapha; but my mouth is parched up with the sand of that
simoom--sherbet I cannot drink, rakee I must not, the hakim has forbid
it; what must it be then, Mustapha?"
"Hath the holy Prophet forbidden wine to true believers in case of
sickness; is not your highness sick; was the wine of Shiraz given by
Allah to be thrown away? Allah karim! God is most merciful; and the
wine was sent that true believers might, in this world, have a foretaste
of the pleasures awaiting them in the next."
"Mustapha," replied the pacha taking his pipe out of his mouth, "by the
beard of the holy Prophet, your words are those of wisdom. Is a pacha
to be fed on water-melons? Staffir Allah! do we believe the less,
because we drink the wine? Slave, bring the pitcher. There is but one
God, and Mahomet is his prophet."
"The words of the Prophet, your highness, are plain he says. `True
believers drink no wine,' which means, that his followers are not to go
about the streets, drunken like the Giaours of Franguistan, who come
here in their ships. Why is wine forbidden? because it makes men drunk.
If then we are not drunk, we keep within the law. Why was the law
made? Laws cannot be made for all; they must therefore be made for the
control of the majority--Is it not so? Who are the majority? Why the
poor. If laws were made for the rich and powerful, such laws would not
suit the community at large. Mashallah! there are no laws for pachas,
who have only to believe that there is one God and Mahomet is his
prophet. Does your slave say well?"
"Excellently well, Mustapha," replied the pacha, lifting the pitcher to
his mouth for a minute, and then passing it to Mustapha. "Allah karim!
God is most merciful! your slave must drink; is it not the pleasure of
your highness? As the wine poured down the throat of your highness,
pervades through your whole frame to the extremities, so does your slave
participate in your bounty. Do I not sit in your sublime presence? Can
the sun shine without throwing out heat; therefore if your highness
drink, must not I drink? Allah acbar! who shall presume not to follow
the steps of the pacha?" So saying, Mustapha lifted up the pitcher, and
for a minute, it was glued to his lips.
"I think that story should be written down," observed the pacha, after a
pause of a few moments.
"I have already given directions, your highness, and the Greek slave is
now employed about it, improving the language to render it more pleasing
to the ears of your sublime highness, should it be your pleasure to have
it read to you on some future day."
"That is right, Mustapha; if I recollect well, the caliph Haroun used to
command them to be written in letters of gold, and be deposited in the
archives: we must do the same."
"The art no longer exists, your highness."
"Then we must be content with Indian-ink," replied the pacha, lifting
the pitcher to his mouth, and emptying it. "The sun will soon be down,
Mustapha, and we must set off."