Chap. LXYIII. TEDIOUSNESS OF POSITION. 
487 
stay, I was deeply afflicted by the immense delay and 
loss of time, and did not allow an opportunity to 
pass by of urging my protector to hasten our depar- 
ture ; and he promised me that, as I was not looking 
for property, he should not keep me long. But, never- 
theless, his slow and deliberate character could not 
be overcome, and it was not until the arrival of 
another messenger from Hamda-AlMhi, with a fresh 
order to the Sheikh to deliver me into his hands, 
that he was induced to return into the town. 
My situation in this turbulent place now ap- 
proached a serious crisis ; but, through the care which 
my friends took of me, I was not allowed to become 
fully aware of the danger I was in. The Sheikh 
himself was greatly excited, but came to no decision 
with regard to the measures to be taken ; and at 
times he did not see any safety for me except by my 
taking refuge with the Tawarek, and placing myself 
entirely under their protection. But as for myself I 
remained quiet, although my spirits were far from 
being buoyant ; especially as, during this time, I suf- 
fered severely from rheumatism ; and I had become so 
tired of this stay outside in the tents, where I was not 
able to write, that, when the Sheikh went out again in 
the evening of the 16th, I begged him to let me remain 
where I was. Being anxious about my safety, he re- 
turned the following evening. However, on the 22nd, 
I was obliged to accompany him on another visit to 
the tents, which had now been pitched in a different 
place, on a bleak sandy eminence, about five miles 
i i 4 
