EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 201 
confent of the parties, but by force, it would be better to take 
the whole gratis. — No anfwer was made, but the day follow- 
ing two camels were brought me as a prefent. 
The violent manner in which my property had been feized, 
and the general ill-treatment I had received, much augmented 
the diforder, already fevere. I had now been fifteen days in the 
tent, expofed to great variations of temperature, it being at the 
clofe of the rainy feafon, and fo entirely difregarded, that 
though tormented with thirft, I could rarely obtain water to 
drink. I judged that the only means of reftoration which 
remained were, to return to Cobbe, and avail myfelf of the 
flielter of a clay-houfe, and that privacy and quiet, the want 
of which I had fo fenfibly felt. Being in poffefTion of the 
greater part of my property, and having left me only fo much 
as would fupply the wants of a few months, the Melek did 
not feem very anxious about my ftay. I hired two Arabs, and 
with the camels that had been given me, and the property 
that remained, made my way on the third day to the place 
whence I came. 
In the intervals of my illnefs, I vifited the chief perfons 
of the place ; and as the eyes of the people became habitu- 
ated to me, I found my fituation growing fomewhat more 
tolerable. Idle, as I certainly was, during this winter, with re- 
fped; to the immediate obje(^l:s of my voyage, I grew of courfe 
more familiar with the manners and particular dialed: of the 
country ; for the Arabic, which is fpoken here, differs mate- 
D D rially 
