SIDI-HABIB-BACHA. 
183 
which diffused a pleasant coolness. There were two Moors 
in attendance^ playing as it were^ the part of courtiers. 
The Bacha gave nie a favourable reception and inquired the 
cause which had brought me into his presence. 1 shortly 
recapitulated to him the various circumstances which had oc- 
casioned me to take so long and arduous a journey across the 
Soudan and the desert; informing him that I was from Alexan- 
dria^ whither I was anxious to return, but that from poverty 
I had no means of conveyance thither ; and being infill-health 
in consequence of the fatigues, which I had undergone, I 
could not travel so great a distance on foot. Amongst the 
numerous questions which he put to me, he as ked how I had 
defrayed the expenses of my route since I had quitted the 
negro countries ; to which I replied, flattering Musulman 
generosity, that every one had contributed a small donation 
to the relief of my wants. He afterwards turned the conver- 
sation to the Europeans, ridiculing their faith. One of his 
Moors, a very corpulent man, hereupon sneeringly observed. 
Why, as Jesus is the Son of God, did he suffer himself to 
be crucified by the Jews?" As this question was pointed at 
me, I replied, that 1 was in no way concerned to support a 
cause the merits of which I did not understand, and that the 
Christians must discuss his objection. The Bacha then sent 
for his steward and commanded him to give me some dates, 
which were brought in a small straw basket, but of which I 
declined eating though 1 was politely pressed. By order of this 
chief, I was reconducted by one of his sentinels to my host at 
Boheim, with an invitation to repeat my visit on the following 
day at his government residence ; he also sent instructions 
to Sidi- Mohammed, the sherif who had accompanied me 
in the morning, to repair thither with me. 
On the morning of the 31st, I did not fail to wait with 
the sherif for the Bacha, on his road to the town. We 
stood up immediately upon perceiving him. He rode a fine 
grey horse, and was escorted by two soldiers, each armed 
