ensuing year’s chase to the father of the intended bride, as her
dowry. They hold the memory of Antar in high veneration, and proclaim
themselves his descendants: but how far the pretension is admissible, I
know not. They recite, however, numerous fragments of his poem.
After taking leave of them, we still proceeded at the rapid pace of
our dromedaries, and encamped on the borders of a very extensive lake,
called Raam Beni Hellal, which receives its waters from a mountain
which we had skirted.
The next day, having reached the middle of a dry and barren desert, we
discovered a little oasis, formed by the shrub called jorfa, and had
arrived within a few paces of it, when our dromedaries suddenly stopped
short, which we at first attributed to their inclination for resting
in a spot where the appearance of vegetation announced the probable
presence of water; but it was soon evident that their repugnance
arose from instinctive terror, manifested by all its outward tokens:
neither caresses nor menaces could induce them to stir. My curiosity
being excited to the highest degree, I alighted to investigate the
cause of their alarm: but I had no sooner entered the thicket, than I
involuntarily recoiled, for the ground was strewed with the skins of
serpents of all sizes and species. There were thousands of them; some
of the thickness of a ship’s cable, others as small as needles. We
hurried from the spot, offering up thanksgivings to God that the skins
alone of these venomous reptiles had fallen in our way. No shelter
appearing as night closed in, we were obliged to pass it in the open
desert: but the horrible spectacle of the thicket was too forcibly
impressed upon my imagination to permit me to close my eyes; I expected
every moment to see an enormous serpent glide under the covering of my
tent, and rear its menacing head beside my pillow.
The following day we overtook a considerable tribe of Wahabees coming
from Samarcand: we carefully concealed our pipes from them,--for Ebn
Sihoud severely prohibits smoking, and punishes any infraction of his
laws with death. The Emir Medjioun hospitably entertained us, but could
not suppress his surprise at our hardihood in thus placing ourselves
at the mercy of the Wahabee, whose ferocious character he depicted to
us in the most frightful terms. He did not dissemble that we ran great
hazard; Ebn Sihoud’s deceitful promises, which he lavishes without
scruple, being no guarantee against the most infamous treachery. The
Drayhy himself, full of loyalty, had advanced on the faith of the
king’s invitation, his imagination never suggesting the possibility
of a breach of promise, and began now to repent his too credulous
confidence; but pride prevented his retreating, and we prosecuted
our journey. We soon reached the Nedgde, a country intersected with
mountains and valleys, studded with nomade camps, and abounding in
towns and villages, the former of which appear to be very ancient, and
attest a former population much richer and more numerous than that by
which they are now occupied. The villages are peopled with Bedouin
husbandmen; and the soil produces corn, table vegetables, and dates
in abundance. We were told by the inhabitants, that the aborigines had
abandoned their country to establish themselves in Africa, under the
conduct of one of their princes, named Beni Hetal.
We everywhere experienced a warm-hearted hospitality, but heard
interminable complaints of the tyranny of Ebn Sihoud, under whose
dominion these people seem to be retained by fear alone.
At length after fourteen days’ journey, at the pace of our dromedaries,
which may be reckoned at triple the distance traversed by a caravan
in the same space of time, we arrived in the capital of the Wahabees.
The city is surrounded and concealed by a wood of palms, called the
Palm-trees of Darkisch, which serves it as a rampart, and is so thickly
planted as scarcely to admit the passage of a horseman between the
trunks of the trees. Having made our way through these, we came to a
second barrier, composed of little hillocks of date-stones, resembling
a bank of small pebbles, and behind it the town-wall, along which we
rode to the entrance-gate, and, passing through it, soon reached the
king’s palace, a large edifice of two stories, built of white hewn
stones.
Ebn Sihoud, on being informed of our arrival, ordered us to be ushered
into an elegant and well-furnished apartment, where a plentiful
repast was set before us. This beginning seemed to augur well, and
we congratulated ourselves upon not having yielded to the suspicions
which had been suggested to us. The same night, having suitably
attired ourselves, we were presented to the king; whom we found to
be about forty-five years of age, with a harsh countenance, a bronzed
complexion, and a very black beard. He was dressed in a robe fastened
round the loins by a white sash, a striped turban of red and white
on his head, and a black embroidered mantle thrown over his left
shoulder, holding in his right hand the sceptre of the King of Mahlab,
the ensign of his authority. He was seated, surrounded by the grandees
of his court, at the extremity of a large audience-chamber, richly
furnished with mats, carpets, and cushions. The draperies, as well as
the king’s habiliments, were of cotton or the wool of Yemen,--silk
being prohibited in his dominions, together with everything that would
recall the luxury or customs of the Turks. I had leisure for making
my observations; for when Ebn Sihoud had answered concisely and in a
chilling tone to the Drayhy’s compliments, we seated ourselves, and
waited in silence till he should propose a subject of conversation.
The Drayhy, however, observing that after half an hour had elapsed he
neither ordered coffee nor cleared his brow, opened the conference
himself by thus addressing him:--
“I see, O son of Sihoud, that our reception from you is not such as
we had a right to expect. We have travelled through your territories,
and are come under your roof, upon your own invitation: if you have
anything to allege against us, speak--conceal nothing from us.”
Ebn Sihoud, casting a fiery glance at him, replied:
“Yes, truly, I have many things to allege against you: your crimes are
unpardonable! You have revolted against me; you have refused to obey
me, and you have devastated the tribe of Sachrer, in Galilee, knowing
that it belonged to me.
“You have corrupted the Bedouins, and confederated them against me, and
against my authority.
“You have destroyed my armies, pillaged my camps, and supported my
mortal enemies, those idolaters, those profaners, those rascals, those
debauchees, the Turks.”
Growing more and more exasperated as he spoke, and accumulating
invective upon invective, his rage at last exceeded all bounds, and he
concluded by commanding us to leave his presence and await his pleasure.
I saw the Drayhy’s eyes kindle, his nostrils swell, and I dreaded
every instant an explosion of impotent wrath, which could only have
served to drive the king to extremities; but, reflecting that he was
entirely defenceless, he refrained himself, rose with dignity, and
slowly retired to meditate what course he should pursue. All men
trembled before the fury of Ebn Sihoud, and none dared to oppose his
will. For two days and nights we remained in our apartment, hearing
and seeing nothing. No one cared to approach us; even those who on our
first arrival appeared most forward in our service, either shunned
us, or laughed at our easy credulity in the good faith of a man whose
perfidious and sanguinary character was so well known. We expected
momentarily to see the tyrant’s satellites appear to massacre us, and
sought in vain for some means of extricating ourselves from his grasp.
On the third day, the Drayhy, declaring he preferred death to suspense,
sent for one of the ministers of the Wahabee, named Abou el Sallem, and
commissioned him to deliver this message to his master.
“What you propose to do, do quickly; I shall not reproach you--I shall
blame myself alone for surrendering myself into your hands.”
El Sallem obeyed, but returned not; and our only answer was the sight
of twenty-five armed negroes, who ranged themselves before our door. We
were then decidedly prisoners!--how I deprecated the foolish curiosity
which had so gratuitously drawn me into peril! The Drayhy had no fear
of death; but constraint was insupportable to him,--he walked to and
fro with rapid strides, like a lion before the bars of his cage, and at
last broke out:--
“I am determined to make an end of the matter; I will speak to Ebn
Sihoud and reproach him with his perfidy; I see that mildness and
patience are unavailing, and I am resolved to die with dignity.”
Again he summoned El Sallem; and the moment he appeared, “Return
to your master,” said he, “and inform him that by the faith of the
Bedouins I demand the right of speaking to him: there will still be
time to follow his own pleasure after he has heard me.”
The Wahabee granted an audience, and El Sallem introduced us. Arrived
in his presence, the king left us standing, and made no return to our
customary salutations.
“What do you want?” said he roughly.
The Drayhy, drawing himself up with dignity, replied:
“I am come to see you, O son of Sihoud, on the faith of your promises,
and with a suite of only ten men: I command thousands of warriors.
We are defenceless in your hands, you are in the centre of your
power:--you may crush us like ashes; but know, that from the frontier
of India, to the frontier of Nedgde, in Persia, in Bussora, in
Mesopotamia, Hemad, the two Syrias, Galilee, and Horan, every man who
wears the caftan will demand my blood at your hands, and will take
vengeance for my death. If you are, as you pretend, the King of the
Bedouins, how can you stoop to treachery? that is the vile practice
of the Turks. Treachery is not for the strong, but for the weak or
the cowardly. You who boast of your armies, and claim to hold your
authority from God himself, if you would not tarnish your glory,
restore me to my country, and openly contend with me by force of arms;
for by abusing my confidence, you will dishonour yourself, render
yourself an object of universal contempt, and occasion the ruin of your
kingdom. I have said: now take your pleasure,--but you will one day
repent it. I am only one among thousands; my death will not diminish my
tribe, will not extinguish the race of Cholan. My son Sahen will supply
my place: he remains to lead my Bedouins, and to avenge my blood. Be
warned then, and open your eyes to the truth.”
During this harangue, the king stroked his beard, and gradually calmed
himself. After a moment’s silence:
“Go in peace,” said he; “nothing but good will happen to you.”
We then retired, but were still guarded.
This successful beginning encouraged the courtiers, who had heard with
terror the daring words of the Drayhy, and were astonished at the
tyrant’s endurance of them. They began again to gather round us, and
Abou el Sallem invited us to dinner. But I did not feel very confident
on my own score; I thought indeed Ebn Sihoud might not venture upon
extremities with the Drayhy, but feared lest he might ascribe his
wrongs to my counsels, and sacrifice me, an obscure giaour, to his
resentment. These apprehensions I imparted to the Drayhy, who reassured
me, swearing that no attempt should reach me but over his corpse, and
that I should first pass out through the gates of Darkisch.
The next day Ebn Sihoud sent for us, received us very graciously, and
had coffee served to us. Presently he began to question the Drayhy
about the persons who accompanied him. My turn is now coming, thought
I, and my heart palpitated a little. I recovered myself, however; and
when the Drayhy had named me, the king, turning towards me, said:
“You then are Abdallah the Christian?”
And on my answering in the affirmative,
“I see,” continued he, “that your actions are much greater than your
stature.”
“A musket-ball,” I replied, “is small, yet it kills great men.”
He smiled.
“I find it very difficult,” he resumed, “to credit all that I hear of
you: I would have you answer me frankly; what is the object of the
alliance which you have been labouring so many years to accomplish?”
“Its object is very simple,” answered I. “We are desirous to unite
all the Bedouins of Syria under the command of the Drayhy, to resist
the Turks; you may perceive that we are by these means forming an
impenetrable barrier between you and your enemies.”
“Very well,” said he; “but that being your object, why did you
endeavour to destroy my armies before Hama?”
“Because,” I replied, “you were an obstacle to our projects. It was not
for you, but for the Drayhy, that we were labouring. His power once
established in Syria, Mesopotamia, and to the confines of Persia, we
were willing to enter into alliance with you, and become by that means
invulnerable in the possession of our entire liberty. Children of the
same nation, we have but one cause to defend: for this purpose we came
here to cement an indissoluble union with you. You received us in an
offensive manner, and the Drayhy on his part has reproached you in
offensive terms; but our intentions were sincere, and we have proved
them so by confiding ourselves unarmed to your good faith.”
The king’s countenance cleared up more and more as I spoke; and when I
had ceased, he said,
“I am satisfied.”
Then, turning to his slaves, he ordered _three_ cups of coffee. I
internally thanked God for inspiring me with words that proved so
successful. The rest of the visit passed off well, and we retired well
satisfied. In the evening we were invited by one of the ministers to a
grand supper, and confidentially entertained with the cruelties of his
master, and the universal execration in which he was held. His immense
treasures were also a topic of discussion: those he had acquired by
the pillage of Mecca are incalculable. From the earliest period of the
Hegira, Mussulman princes, the caliphs, the sultans, and the kings of
Persia, send annually to the tomb of the Prophet considerable presents
in jewels, lamps, and candelabras of gold, precious stones, &c. besides
the offerings from the commonalty of the faithful. The throne alone,
the gift of a Persian king, composed of massive gold, inlaid with
pearls and diamonds, was of inestimable value. Every prince on his
accession sends a crown of gold, enriched with precious stones, to
be suspended from the roofs of the chapel, and they were innumerable
when Ebn Sihoud plundered it: one diamond alone, as large as a walnut,
was considered invaluable. When we consider all that the lapse of
centuries had accumulated on that one point, it is not surprising that
the king should have carried away forty camels laden with jewellery,
besides articles of massive gold and silver. Taking into calculation
these inexhaustible treasures, and the tithes which he raises annually
from his allies, I think he may be regarded as the richest monarch
upon earth; especially as his expenses are very trifling,--as he
rigorously prohibits luxury, and as in time of war each tribe furnishes
subsistence for its armies, and bears all its own charges and losses,
for which no compensation is ever recovered.
So delighted was I with the recovery of my liberty, that I spent all
the next day in walking about and visiting every part of Darkisch and
its environs. The town, built of white stone, contains seven thousand
inhabitants, almost all kinsmen, ministers, or generals of Ebn Sihoud.
No artizans are found there. The only trades exercised in the town are
those of armourers and farriers, and few persons are engaged even in
them. Nothing is to be purchased, not even food, for which every one
depends on his own means,--that is to say, upon an estate or garden,
producing corn, vegetables and fruits, and affording nourishment to
a few fowls. Their numerous herds browse in the plain; and every
Wednesday the inhabitants of Yemen and Mecca assemble to exchange
their merchandise for cattle; a species of fair, which forms the sole
commerce of the country. The women appear unveiled, but throw their
black mantles over their faces,--a very disgraceful custom: they are
generally ugly and excessively dark-complexioned. The gardens, situated
in a charming valley near the town, on the opposite side to that by
which we had entered, produce the finest fruits in the world,--bananas,
oranges, pomegranates, figs, apples, melons, &c. intermixed with barley
and maize,--and are carefully watered.
The next morning, the king again summoned us to him, received us
very graciously, and questioned me closely respecting the various
European sovereigns, especially Napoleon, for whom he testified
great admiration. Nothing delighted him so much as the recital of
the emperor’s conquests; and happily my frequent intercourse with M.
Lascaris had furnished me with many details to entertain him with. At
the account of every battle, he would exclaim--
“Surely this man is an emissary of God: I am persuaded he must be
in intimate communion with his Creator, since he is thus singularly
favoured.”
His affability towards me having gradually but rapidly increased, he
suddenly changed the subject of conversation, and said at last,
“Abdallah, I desire to hear the truth from you: what is the basis of
Christianity?”
Aware of the Wahabee’s prejudices, I trembled at this question; but
mentally praying for divine inspiration,
“The basis of all religion, O son of Sihoud!” I said, “is belief in
God. The Christians deem, as you do, that there is one only God, the
Creator of the universe; who punishes the wicked, pardons the penitent,
and recompenses the good: that He alone is great, merciful, and
almighty.”
“Very well,” said he; “but how do you pray?”
I repeated the _Pater-noster_: he made his secretary write at my
dictation, read and re-read it, and placed it inside his vest; then,
pursuing his interrogatory, asked me to which side we turned to pray.
“We pray on all sides,” answered I, “for God is everywhere.”
“That opinion I entirely approve,” said he: “but you must have precepts
as well as prayers.”
I repeated the ten commandments given by God to his prophet Moses,
which he appeared to know, and continued his inquiries.
“And Jesus Christ,--in what light do you consider him?”
“As the Incarnate Word of God.”
“But he was crucified?”
“As the Divine Word, he could not die; but as man, he suffered for the
sins of the wicked.”
“That is marvellous. And the sacred book which God inspired through
Jesus Christ, is it revered among you?--do you exactly conform to its
doctrine?”
“We preserve it with the greatest reverence, and in all things obey its
injunctions.”
“The Turks,” said he, “have made a god of their prophet, and pray over
his tomb like idolaters. Cursed be those who ascribe to the Creator an
equal! may the sabre exterminate them!”
His invectives against the Turks increasing in vehemence, he proceeded
to censure the use of the pipe, of wine, and of unclean meats; while I
was too happy in having adroitly extricated myself from the discussion
of dangerous questions, to presume to contradict him on insignificant
points, and allowed him to believe me a despiser of that villanous
herb, as he called tobacco; which drew a smile from the Drayhy, who was
well aware that the present prohibition of it was the greatest possible
privation to me, and that I availed myself of every opportunity which
promised impunity to withdraw my beloved pipe from its concealment:
that day, in particular, my longing for it was extreme, having talked
much and drunk very strong Mocha coffee.
The king appeared delighted with our conversation, and said to me,--“I
see that we may always learn something. I have hitherto believed the
Christians to be the most superstitious of men; but I am now convinced
that they approach much nearer to the true religion than the Turks.”
Ebn Sihoud is on the whole a well-informed and very eloquent man,
but fanatical in his religious opinions: he has a legitimate wife
and a concubine; two sons, both married, and a daughter still young.
He eats nothing but what is prepared by his wives, for fear of being
poisoned. The guard of his palace is committed to a troop of a thousand
well-armed negroes. He can raise within his territories fifteen hundred
thousand Bedouins capable of bearing arms. When he intends to nominate
the governor of a province, he invites the person on whom his choice
has fallen to dinner, and after the repast they unite in ablutions and
prayer; after which the king, arming him with a sabre, says to him,--
“I have elected you, by command of God, to govern these slaves: be
humane and just; gather punctually the tithe, and cut off the heads
of Turks and infidels who say that God has an equal--let none such
establish themselves within your jurisdiction. May the Lord give
victory to those who believe in his unity!”
He then delivers to him a small writing, enjoining the inhabitants to
obey the governor in all things, under the severest penalties.
The next day we visited the king’s stables; and I think it would be
impossible for an amateur of horses to have a more gratifying sight.
The first objects of attention were twenty-four white mares, ranged in
single file, all of incomparable beauty, and so exactly alike that it
was not possible to distinguish the one from the other: their hair,
brilliant as silver, dazzled my eyes. A hundred and twenty others, of
various coats, but equally elegant in form, occupied another building;
and even I, notwithstanding my antipathy to horses since the accident
which had so nearly cost my life, could not help admiring the beautiful
tenants of these stables.
We supped that evening with Hedal, the general-in-chief, who was
reconciled with the Drayhy; and the famous Abou Nocta, who was of the
party, was extremely polite to him. For several days we met in secret
conclave, treating with Ebn Sihoud; but the details of the negotiation
would be superfluous. It is sufficient to say, that an alliance was
concluded between him and the Drayhy to their mutual satisfaction, and
the king declared _that their two bodies would be henceforth directed
by one soul_. The treaty being ratified, he invited us for the first
time to eat with him, and tasted each dish before it was offered to us.
As he had never seen any one eat otherwise than with their fingers, I
carved a spoon and fork out of a piece of wood, spread my handkerchief
for a napkin, and ate my dinner after the European fashion, which
highly diverted him.
“Thanks be to God!” said he, “every nation believes its customs the
best possible, and each is therefore content with its condition.”
Our departure being fixed for the following day, the king sent us as
a present seven of his most beautiful mares, their bridles held by as
many black slaves mounted on camels; and when each of us had made his
choice, we were presented with sabres, the blades of which were very
handsome, but the scabbards quite unornamented. To our servants also he
gave more ordinary sabres, saddle-cloths, and a hundred tallarins each.
We took leave of Ebn Sihoud with the customary ceremonies, and were
accompanied beyond the walls by all the officers of his court. Arrived
at the gates, the Drayhy stopped, and turning to me, invited me to pass
first, wishing, he told me, with a smile, to keep his promise. And I
confess, that all the civilities we had latterly received, had not so
far effaced from my mind the impression of the suspense and anguish we
had previously experienced, but that I rejoiced to find myself beyond
the barriers.