210 
MEQUIN AZ. 
parel^ and it must be confessed that mine did not plead in 
my favour ; but I considered that it would be highly impru- 
dent to study my dress : my rags excited no attention^ and 
this livery of poverty served as a veil with which prudence 
required that I should still envelop myself. 
I possessed some pieces of silver and four buckles made 
of gold from the mines of Boure ; but^ as it would have 
been dangerous to shew them^ I took my bag upon my 
shoulder, and left the mosque, uncertain where to find re- 
pose for my sick and wearied frame. For a short time I 
wandered about the streets meditating on my forlorn condi- 
tion, and, oppressed by the recollection of the humiliations, 
fatigues, and privations which I had already endured, and 
by the chilling sense of those which I still experienced, I 
could not altogether suppress my tears. Let me hope this 
weakness was excusable in my disastrous situation : it was 
within sight of the desired haven that I was most in danger 
of shipwreck. With a heart sinking under these reflec- 
tions, I sought shelter in the shop of a dealer in vegetables, 
who, taking me at first for a Berber, would not suffer my 
intrusion ; when, however, I told him that I was an Arab, 
he left me in tranquillity to pass the night on the ground. 
Laying my head on the leather bag which contained my 
notes, I enjoyed a short forgetfulness of misery, but was 
soon awakened by the cold, and sleep solaced me no more 
during the night. 
August the 15th, at six in the morning, hastily quitting 
this inhospitable place, I resumed my journey towards Rabat 
on foot, carrying my bag, and but scantily provided with 
food. 
Beyond the town I passed some gardens, and several 
plots of well cultivated hemp. I soon discovered that it 
would be impossible for me to reach Rabat on foot, for my 
limbs had scarcely strength to support me, and the pain 
which I felt in the spleen was aggravated by fatigue. Rest- 
