Chap. LXXI. PROTEST OF THE BROTHERS. 
53 
Having discussed various proposals with regard to 
my safety, with characteristic slowness, and coupling 
serious observations with various amusing stories, 
Sidi Mohammed sat down and wrote a formal pro- 
test in my favour, and sent it to the emir Kaiiri. 
However, I doubt whether, on a serious inquiry, 
this paper would have been regarded by Christians 
as very flattering to their position in the world ; the 
principal argument brought forward by my noble 
friend and protector for not dealing with me in so 
cruel a manner being, that I was not " akdfir " than 
the rais," meaning that I was not a greater " kafir," 
or unbeliever, than Major Laing ; for, besides not being 
very complimentary, it left it open to our adver- 
saries to reply, that they did not intend to treat me 
worse than the Major had been treated, who, as is 
well known, having been forced to leave the town, 
was barbarously murdered in the desert. 
A messenger from the emir having arrived, the 
Sheikh himself made a long speech, telling him under 
what circumstances I had reached this place, and that 
now I had once placed myself under his protection, 
there was nothing but honourable peace, both for him- 
self and his gaest, or war. Upon this the messenger 
observed in an ironical manner, that, El Ferreji (who 
had been sent to compromise with the Sheikh) being 
a learned man like himself, everything would end 
well ; meaning, that they would know, if not able to 
succeed by force, how to vanquish him with argu- 
ments taken from their creed. Another protest having 
E 3 
