HISTORY OF THE WAHABEES. 339 



or brick, and the bazaars consisted of shops made of 

 reeds, which could easily be transported from one 

 place to another. There were twenty-eight mosques 

 in it and thirty colleges, but no baths, khans, or 

 public inns. The inhabitants, proverbial for their 

 hospitality, were estimated at 13,000. 



Five months were consumed in the siege of this 

 important capital ; both parties maintaining the con- 

 test with undaunted resolution, and with alternate 

 advantages. Abdallah did his utmost by word and 

 action to animate his troops ; money and presents 

 were lavishly distributed; and the women braved the 

 fire of the besiegers to fetch water to the wounded. 

 Ibrahim meanwhile made little progress, and the 

 accidental explosion of a magazine threatened to 

 defeat entirely the object of the expedition. More 

 than 200 barrels of gunpowder and as many loaded 

 shells blew up in the midst of his camp ; thus leav- 

 ing him almost destitute of ammunition, and sur- 

 rounded with enemies in the heart of a desert 500 

 leagues from Egypt. No resource remained for 

 the Turks but their courage and their sabres until 

 fresh supplies were obtained from Medina and the 

 neighbouring garrisons. The governors of Bagdad 

 and Bussora sent large caravans with provisions, 

 while recruits with ammunition and artillery-stores 

 arrived in successive detachments from Cairo. The 

 combat was renewed; and to inspirit the languid 

 soldier fifty piastres were promised for every head or 

 pair of ears he should bring to his commander. 



Abdallah now found that his capital could no 

 longer be defended. All his sorties had been attend- 

 ed with loss ; two of his sons were taken prisoners, 

 and one of them put to death. The fortresses on the 



