58 
metically shut, and lighted with two wax candles. The 
thermometer marked at 9 o'clock in the evening 15° 1',* 
and the hygrometer 85°. 
Wednesday, 26th October, in the morning the camp 
broke up, and I got on horseback. The kadi and all 
the fakihs returned for the last time. They formed a 
circle round me: we all addressed two prayers to the 
Almighty for a happy journey, and after the most cor- 
dial embraces, we parted with ftears in our eyes; it was 
half past seven in the morning when we got off. 
Left to myself, I fell into a deep contemplation. 
Brought up in different countries of civilised Europe, 
I found myself at the head of a caravan, marching in a 
savage country, without any other guarantee for my 
personal safety than my own physical strength. As I 
quitted the north coast of Africa, and was advancing to 
bury myself in the south, I began to ask myself, " Shall 
I be every where well received? . . . How many vicis- 
situdes await me? . . . What will be the result of my 
enterprises? . . . Shall I not fall a victim to some ty- 
rant? . . . Ah, no! certainly not; the gracious God, who 
from the height of His throne perceives the purity of 
my intentions, will support them with his assistance!'* 
Recovering from my meditations, I settled a conclusion: 
" As God with His all-powerful hand has conducted me 
safely through so many difficulties already, He will also ^ 
conduct me as prosperously to the end." 
My caravan consisted of seventeen men, thirty ani- 
mals; and four soldiers, my escort. My tent, sacred to 
myself, contained a bed, some carpets, cushions, an ink- 
stand, two small trunks, with my instruments, books> 
and linen for daily use. Three other tents were occu- 
pied by my escort, my baggage and kitchen. 
* 65° Fahrenheit. 
