Chap. L. 
DEATH OF MA'lNA BELA'DEMl'. 419 
Fortunately, I myself had taken sufficient pre- 
caution to strengthen the roof of my house, so that 
although the floor was entirely swamped, the roof 
remained firm ; for having observed, some days pre- 
viously, that the principal beam which supported the 
terrace was broken, and having endeavoured in vain 
to persuade my host to have it repaired, I ordered my 
servants to take away a large pole from a neigh- 
bouring courtyard, and place it as a support for the 
roof. 
Since the return of the sultan, the rainy season 
had set in with great violence, and it rained almost 
daily. The consequence was, that the open places and 
the wide uninhabited quarters of the town were again 
clad in the freshest verdure, the whole affording 
a very pleasant aspect, while the beda, or bahr, was 
filling with water. There was now also much 
more intercourse in the town, since the people had 
returned from the expedition; but I did not stir about 
so much as before, not only on account of the wet, 
but also owing to the effrontery of some of the 
slaves : for these people, who are scarcely acquainted 
with any other kind of dress than a black shirt, and 
who altogether occupy a low stage in civilization, 
found constant fault with my dress, and, with a few 
exceptions, were not on good terms with me. 
On account of my poverty, which did not allow 
me to make many presents except needles, I had cer- 
tainly deserved the title of "Needle-prince" or "Mala- 
ribra," which they had given me ; but besides this the 
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