294 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



The rock has been carved and hollowed in various 

 places ; the entrances of a vast quantity of cata- 

 combs are arranged over the front of the moun- 

 tain, and near them I observed hierogi)phics and 

 symbolical figures. 



The vessel dropt anchor at Miniet. The Reis 

 immediately disembarked with about twenty of 

 the passengcrsj and made the best of his way to 

 the Kiaschef^ in order to prefer a complaint against 

 n^e, for having had the audacity to strike a Mussul- 

 man. These wicked people took care to relate 

 every fact, and to represent it in the worst light 

 poFsible. The populace of Miniet thronged in 

 crowds ; a flock of fanatical barbarians demanded 

 the head of the dos who had abused a favourite 

 of Mahomet. I had dispatched my two Egyptian 

 servants after the Reis, in order to observe what 

 might come to pass. They returned to acquaint 

 me with the ferment which the accusation of the 

 Reis had raised in the minds of the people ; they 

 had advanced into the court of the house of the 

 Kiaschef, where an assembled mob were calling 

 for vengeance, and they had heard it reported, 

 that I v;as to undergo the punishment of the bas- 

 tinado on the soles of the icet. 1 had not a mo- 

 ment to lose after this information. It was ne- 

 cessary, they said, either to conceal myself or to 

 make my escape. I could not, with propriety, 



have 



