AND LOWER EGYPT. 23 1 



be upon my guard. He knew Poctor, and looked 

 upon him as a rogue of whom I could not be too 

 distrustful. I here feel it incumbent on me to say, 

 that for the most part I have had better reason to 

 applaud the conduct of the Maraelucs than the na- 

 tives of Egypt. With a character more rough and 

 unpolished, these strangers possessed a certain 

 pride and a blunt harshness which rendered ihem 

 indeed formidable to men subject to their despotic 

 sway, but which, by inspiring them with a kind of 

 greatness of soul, gave you full dependance on 

 their protection and promises ; whilst the Copht, 

 dark and designing, insinuating and deceitful, 

 distinguished himself by the cringing and submis- 

 sive deportment of the most abject slave. 



The attention which the KiascJief paid me, was a 

 bridle on the robbers into whose hands I had fallen. 

 But an order from Cairo, in removing him from 

 his command, deprived me of his support, and the 

 same men, who but a moment before trembled at 

 his feet, no longer paid him any respect when they 

 knew he had lost all authority. Poctor, in order to 

 rob me, had associated with a Turkisli merchant, 

 and it must be acknowledged that they were a 

 couple of the most accomplished liars and swindlers. 

 The preparations for my journey to Cosseir afforded 

 them innumerable pretences to ask me for treats and 

 money. The Copht had already received a telescope, 



0^4 a pair 



