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dina, and were conducted back to the encampment of 
those belonging to the temple, who shortly after began 
to march with us, escorted by other soldiers. 
Thus terminated, happily I may say, this disagree- 
able event, though I had to regret the relinquishment of 
an interesting journey, and the loss of my watch, which 
served for my astronomical observations. 
Five or six peals of thunder took place during the 
time the Wehhabites were collecting the contributions. 
It was about noon, and there was not the least cloud in 
the heavens. 
In regard to this conduct of the Wehhabites, it must 
be observed, that we knew as well as the Arabs, the 
express order against going to Medina, to visit the 
sepulchre. We therefore broke the order wilfully. But 
I had determined to attempt the journey, hoping that 
chance might perhaps second me in my efforts in this 
enterprise. The Wehhabites, in stopping us, only put 
in execution the general order established. 
The contribution they exacted was only a fine, which 
we had incurred in consequence of our infraction of the 
standing order, though the manner of collecting it was 
certainly rather harsh; but much may be said for un- 
civilized men. They took from me, it is true, my 
watch and other things, but why did they not take all I 
had? 
These Arabs, though Wehhabites, and subjects of 
Saaoud, are natives of the country, which has been 
newly subjected; and consequently they differ much 
from the brilliant Wehhabite youths of the East, that I 
had seen at Mecca. Therefore, when they took my 
watch, &c. from me, I pardoned them willingly for 
these remains of the ancient vice of their country, and 
gave thanks to Abdoulwehhab for effecting this reform, 
