CHAP. III. 
MORZOUK. 
101 
him. Our money was now all expended, and the Sultan's treacherous 
plans to distress us, which daily became too apparent, were so 
well arranged, that we could not find any one to buy our goods. 
For six entire weeks we were without animal food, subsisting on 
a very scanty portion of corn and dates. Our horses were mere 
skeletons, added to which, Eelford became totally deaf, and so 
emaciated as to be unable to walk. 
My situation was now such as to create the most gloomy 
apprehensions ; for I reflected that, if my two companions were to 
die, which there was every reason to apprehend, I had no money 
with which to bury them, or to support myself ; and must in 
that case have actually perished from want, in a land of com- 
parative plenty. My naturally sanguine mind, however, and above 
all, my firm reliance in that Power which had so mercifully pro- 
tected me on so many trying occasions, prevented my giving way 
to despondency ; and, Belford beginning soon to rally a little, we 
united, and took turns in nursing and attending on our poor com- 
panion. At this time, having no servant, we performed for Mr. 
Ritchie and for ourselves the most menial offices, Mr. Ritchie 
being wholly unable to assist himself 
Two young men, brothers, whom we had treated with great 
kindness, and whom we had engaged to attend on us, so far from 
commiserating our forlorn situation, forsook us in our distress, and 
even carried off our little store of rice and cusscussou, laughing at 
our complaints, and well knowing that our poverty prevented the 
redress which we should otherwise have sought and obtained. 
During the period of Mr. Ritchie's iUness, a Kaffle of Tuarick 
arrived, on their way to Mecca ; they had with them a Maraboot 
of most extraordinary talent and sagacity, about fifteen years old. 
This young saint was said never to look up, but to have his eyes 
either fixed on the Koran, or on the ground. I managed to ride 
