206 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



caravans are six or seven in number, though they 

 do not always make their appearance together, nor 

 even perform the visit annually. That from Syria, 

 which used to be accompanied by the caliphs in per- 

 son, sets out from Constantinople, and collects the 

 pilgrims from Northern Asia until it reaches Da- 

 mascus. During the whole route, for the sake of 

 safety and convenience, it is attended from town to 

 town by the armed force of the district. From Da- 

 mascus to Medina it moves with great pomp across 

 the desert, — a journey of thirty days ; and here a 

 change of camels, for which the Bedouins contract, 

 is necessary ; the Anatolian breed being unable to 

 bear the fatigues of such an expedition. The Pasha 

 of Damascus, or one of his principal officers, always 

 attends it, and gives the signal for encamping and 

 departing by firing a musket. The different classes 

 of hajjis know their exact stations, and always 

 place their tents according to their town or prov-' 

 ince. At every stage is a castle or storehouse for 

 provisions, with a small garrison, and a large tank 

 at which the camels water. These stations are sel- 

 dom farther distant from each other than a march 

 of eleven or twelve hours. The usual time of trav- 

 elling is from three o'clock in the afternoon to an 

 hour or two after sunrise next day, torches being 

 lighted during the night. The Egyptian caravan, 

 which starts from Cairo, is under the same regula- 

 tions as the Syrian. Its route is more dangerous 

 and fatiguing, lying by Suez and Akaba, along the 

 shore of the Red Sea, through the territories of wild 

 and warlike tribes, who frequently attack it by open 

 force. The Persian haj departs from Bagdad, and 

 traverses Nejed by Deraiah. As the Persians are 

 reckoned notorious heretics, and are generally per- 

 sons of property, they are subjected to severe im- 

 positions, and have occasionally been prohibited 

 from entering the Holy City. The Moggrebin cara- 

 VcUi brings the pilgrims from Barbary aud Morocco. 



