418 DAMIETTA. 
space beyond sufficient to encamp their whole army, and surround 
themselves with a ditch and pallisade, although the Sultaun had 
erected a bridge to prevent their approach, and was encamped 
between them and Damietta. Lesbe is distant only a mile from the 
sea, and it is impossible to suppose that within that distance the 
whole of the armies, the bridge and the towers, with the chain, 
could have been crowded. I am therefore inclined to doubt the 
fact, as given by the Arabian historians, and the fidelity of Mr. 
Savary's translation. 
Below Lesbe the Governor has established a village, where he 
obliges all the fishermen to live, and which seems in a very thriv- 
ing state. I here observed a round tower of ancient masonry, which 
forms one extremity of a building, that extends to the river, and 
to which, I think it probable, that the great chain above mentioned 
was fastened. Every other building between Damietta and the sea 
has the appearance of being modern. 
The Bogaz is not quite so bad here as at Rosetta, for it admits 
vessels of much larger burthen than the jerms, which take advan- 
tage of the fine weather, to enter the river, and anchor close to the 
town, where there is never less than fourteen feet water. As we re- 
turned we were much struck with the picturesque appearance of 
the houses, which not only cover the banks of the river, but have 
generally stages extended over it, on which vines are planted, and 
seats are disposed under their shade. 
The Kiaia of the Governor called to pay his master's compli* 
ments, and excuse himself for not having been yesterday, by saying 
that he had fallen from his horse and hurt himself. As we knew it 
was only an excuse, we offered gravely the assistance of Yincenzo's 
