62 
purifying it. It is on this account that the pilgrims, 
who generally stay only eight days at the period of the 
pilgrimage to Aarafat, return without having visited 
the inside of the Kaaba. 
The door is in the north-east front, at a small dis- 
tance from the black stone, and is six feet above the 
level of the court: they therefore placed, on the days 
when it was open, a handsome wooden staircase, 
mounted upon six bronze rollers. 
I was carried to the temple on those days; and as 
there was an immense crowd, they made me sit down 
in a kind of bower belonging to the guard, which is 
composed of black eunuchs. 
The crowd being a little diminished, my guide and 
some guards conveyed me to the Kaaba. They took 
great care to make me put my right foot upon the first 
step in ascending. 
Having entered the only hall in the Kaaba, I was 
immediately conducted to the southern corner, where, 
placing my body and face as close as possible to the 
wall, I repeated a prayer in a loud voice, and afterwards 
the ordinary prayer. I went successively to the west 
and north corners, repeating the same prayers as be- 
fore in each. Being come at last to the east corner, I 
said a short prayer standing, and kissed the silver key 
of the Kaaba, which one of the Scherif's children, who 
was seated in an armed chair, held for that purpose. 
After this I withdrew, escorted by the eunuchs, who 
made their way through the crowd, by striking the 
people with their fists. As soon as I got outside I 
kissed the black stone; took seven more turns round 
the building; went into a small ditch, which is close to 
the door, where I said the ordinary prayer; and, after 
having drank some water of the blessed Zemzem, I 
returned home. 
