174 
this disappointment, by another which would not have 
permitted me to have performed my astronomical opera- 
tion with success, even had I arrived in proper time; 
for Jupiter appeared with the Moon, and both remained 
enveloped with clouds until day. 
The exactness of the conductors of the dromedaries, 
is truly remarkable. They stop the caravan periodically, 
and cry 46 Joua Salah, Joua Salah." " Let us pray, let 
us pray." Every body alights, and makes his ablution 
with sand; and after having recited a prayer, remounts, 
and continues his journey. 
One evening as I was marching at the head of the 
caravan, I heard a noise behind me, and turning my, 
Lead, I saw one of the drivers of the dromedaries with 
a large stick in his hand menacing my Hhazindar or 
house-steward, and endeavouring to oblige him to go 
back. I went immediately to enquire into the affair, 
but the Arab, impelled by a holy zeal, constantly re- 
peated, " Ah, Sidi Ali Bey, this man is a great sinner!" 
What has he done? > ' By God he is -a great sinner." I 
again asked what he had done? " He must not go any 
further; he shall not go to Medina, I will never permit 
it." My servant was thunderstruck. I repeated to the 
Arab, " What is his crime?" " Yes, Sidi Ali, he 
smokes tobacco; this great rogue shall not go to Medi- 
na, I will not permit him." I had all the trouble in the 
worlft to calm the Arab, by telling him that my servant 
was a Scherif of Morocco, and entirely ignorant of the 
regulations and laws of Abdoulwehhab. I gave my word 
for him that he would not smoke any more. He re- 
quired that my servant should swear not to smoke any 
more, and that he should throw his pipe and the little 
tobacco he had upon the ground. It was upon these 
conditions that he permitted him to proceed. 
