362 
DEPARTURE FROM SUEZ. 
had ever experienced. We reached the wells by twelve, a distance 
of about four miles, and immediately pitched our tents. 
Our station was in the front of the line, close to the Schech's 
tent : our baggage was around us. The Turks were nearer the sea: 
their chief, Emir Effendi, sent in the evening to Chedid, to say that 
he had heard we were likely to be attacked on the morrow, and 
therefore wished to arrange with him the order of march. It was 
determined that a part of the escort, with the Turks, should go in 
front, a part in the middle of the caravan, and a few in the rear. 
The robbers of the Desert are not supposed to exceed in number 
five hundred, and are consequently little to be feared by Chedid, 
who is himself as brave as a lion, and can depend upon his follow- 
ers. It was, however, wise to take every precaution, as the ap- 
pearance of preparation might often prevent an attack ; for the 
Arabs, like other banditti, never fight, except when they conceive 
themselves so superior as to be sure of success. 
Chedid dined with us, and expressed great approbation of the 
cherry- brandy, which he drank most freely, though, the tent door 
being open, his people could distinguish that he did so. He was 
in great good humour, laughed, and told several stories of himself, 
which were interpreted by Mr. Thomaso. He at length began to 
praise my tent, which was lined with green cloth, so highly, de- 
claring that it was superior to any he had for his wives, that I was 
induced to promise it to him on my arrival at Cairo, after which I 
could have no occasion for it. 
February 14. — At half after five we took a dish of cofPee, and 
mounted, and did not halt till a quarter before six in the evening. 
I think our camels never went less than three miles an hour, and 
