159 
long time at least, by the force of arms; and this is also 
the cause which has preserved Arabia, in all times., 
from a foreign dominion. 
CHAPTER XI. 
Return of Ali Bey to Djedda. — Geographical Position. — Remarks. — Passage to. 
Yenboa. 
I qui t ted Mecca to return to Djedda on the 2d of 
March 1807, at five in the afternoon. Beforcimy depar- 
ture, I went seven times round the house of God, and 
recited the customary prayers on taking leave, at the 
four angles of the Kaaba, the well Zemzem, the stones 
of Ismael, and the Makham Ibrahim. I left the temple 
by the Beb L'udaa gate, which is considered as a hap- 
py auspice, on account of the Prophet having quitted 
it by the same way, when he had terminated his pil- 
grimage. 
I travelled in a schevria placed upon a camel in the 
same way as when I went to Mecca. We were hardly 
out of the city, when the Arabs who escorted us halted, 
and began to dispute with great violence during an 
hour and a half. About seven o'clock they ceased al- 
tercating, and we commenced our journey. 
The atmosphere was covered with clouds, which ob- 
scured the light of the moon. It was so dark that I was 
unable to distinguish the smallest object. 
We halted at four o'clock in the morning at a village 
named El Hadda. The road was covered with the 
equipage and camels of a large number of pilgrims, 
