AND LOWER EGYPT. 97 



relate, and which gives celebrity to their town. I 

 had it not in my power to examine this miraculous 

 figure. 



'fc' 



We departed from Toynieli the 24th, at six o'clock 

 in the morning. We had hardly proceeded two 

 leacrues, when four men on horseback advanced 

 towards us. A peasant gave us to understand that 

 these were robbers ; they had in reality the physi- 

 ognomy and the whole exterior of real highway- 

 men. They followed us for a long time, without 

 speaking a word, and wheeling round and round 

 us. From time to time they retreated, then couch- 

 ing their lances, they assumed the appearance of 

 bearing upon us with their horses on full gallop. 

 Prepared to bring down the whole four, had they 

 come to the attack, they occasioned us no uneasi- v 

 ness, and we diverted ourselves with observing 

 their manoeuvres. Perceiving at last, that, so far 

 from inspiring us with terror, we did nothing but 

 laugh, they quitted us, and disappeared with the 

 rapidity of the wind. 



Al ten in the morning we arrived at Tahta, a 

 market-town, nearly twelve leagues from Siout. 

 The Kinschef, who commanded there, was then 

 encamped without the village. He was preparing 

 to march against the Arabs, who refused to pay 

 the accustomed tribute. Wc stopped to rest our- 



voL. HI. H selves 



