r 3 4 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



the Shepherds, that thefe decorations and paintings were 

 made. This gives it a prodigious antiquity ; but fuppofmg 

 it was a favourite inftrument, confequently well underilood 

 at the building of Tyre * in the year 1320 before Chrift, and 

 Sefoftris had lived in the time of Solomon, as Sir Ifaac New- 

 toni magincs ; ftill there were 320 years fince that inflru- 

 ment had already attained to great perfection, a fumcient 

 time to have varied it into every form. 



Upon feeing the preparations I was making to proceed 

 farther in my refearches, my conductors loft all fort of fub- 

 ordination. They were afraid my intention was to fit in 

 this cave all night, (as it really was,) and to vifit the others 

 next morning. With great clamour and marks of difcon- 

 tent, they dafhed their torches againfl the largelt harp, and 

 made the bell of their way out of the cave, leaving me and 

 my people in the dark ; and all the way as they went, they 

 made dreadful denunciations of tragical events that were 

 immediately to follow, upon their departure from the cave. 



There was no poiTibility of doing more. I offered them 

 money, much beyond the utmoft of their expectations ; 

 but the fear of the Troglodytes, above Medinet Tabu, had 

 fallen upon them ; and feeing at laft this was real, I was not 

 myfelf without apprehenfions, for they were banditti, and 

 outlaws, and no reparation was to be expected, whatever 

 they ihould do to hurt us. 



Very 



* Nay, prior to this, the harp is mentioned as a common inftrument in Abraham's time 1370 

 tears before Chrift, GeD. chap, xxxii. ver. 27. 



