57 
eleven at night entered into a deep and narrow defile, 
in which the road was cut in steps through the differ- 
ent windings. This defile would make a strong military 
position. 
At midnight, between Thursday and Friday the 23d 
of January 1807, or the 14th of the month Doulkaada, 
in the year 1221 of the Hegira, I arrived, through the 
favour of divine mercy, at the first houses of the holy 
city of Mecca, fifteen months after my departure from 
Morocco. 
There were at the entrance of the town several 
Mogrebins, or Arabs of the West, who were waiting 
my arrival, with little pitchers of the water from the 
well of Zemzem, which they presented me to drink, 
begging me not to take it of any otker person, and 
offering to supply my house. They told me secretly 
never to drink the water which the chief of the wells 
should offer to me. 
Several other persons, who were also waiting, dis- 
puted between themselves which should have me for 
a lodger; for the lodgings are one of the principal spe- 
culations of the inhabitants. But the persons who were 
charged with providing every thing for me during my 
stay at Djedda, soon put an end to these disputes, by 
taking me to a house that had been prepared for me. 
It was situated near the temple, and the house in- 
habited by the Sultan Scherif. 
Pilgrims ought to enter on foot into Mecca; but in 
consequence of my illness I remained upon my camel 
until I arrived at my lodging. 
The moment I entered I performed a general ablu- 
tion; after which I was conducted in procession to- 
wards the temple, with all my people, by a person 
appointed for that purpose, who, as he walked along, 
Vol. II. H 
