50 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AEEICA. 
clothings our bed was on a poor mat in an open shed^ whilst^ liard- 
worked_, beaten, and ill fed, we were treated with contempt. An- 
other hardship was a total privation of tobacco, that we pined for 
more than bread ; and but for the good heart of the sheikh’s wife, 
who secretly afforded ns scanty nourishment, we must have died 
of starvation. Life became intolerable; and barefooted we fled, 
but after two days^ wanderings and sufferings we were re-taken. 
Thrashed within an inch of our lives, we were dragged back to our 
den, and our lot was, if possible, worse than before. We again 
determined to fly, but this time separately. What became of my 
companion I know not, but I, one night, arrived before Java. It 
was occupied by Egyptian troops ; and not able to give the pass- 
Avord when challenged, I Avas fired at, taken by the patrol, and 
consigned to prison. On the following day, when asked to account 
for myself, my appearance Avas so haggard and wretched, that my 
story AA^as disbelieved : a suit of clothes Avas given to me, and on 
tlie receipt of a subsequent small sum of money, Avith three other 
prisoners I Avas ordered, under escort, to proceed to St. Jean d’Acre. 
On the AA^ay, surprised by Druses, I Avas again made prisoner and 
taken into the Hills, in the expectation of a ransom; but nothing 
forthcoming, in a fortnight I escaped, and succeeded in gaining 
St. Jean d’Acre a feAv days before the bombardment. On the re- 
treat to Egypt I again suffered intensely from hunger and distress, 
— no one cared for me, and, sick of life, can you wonder at my 
having taken a hatred to mankind, and vowed on oath that, Avhen- 
ever iu my poAver, I would ill-treat, punish, yes, and torture every 
individual that with impunity I can? It is some satisfaction for 
the Avrongs that have been inflicted on me, and the pains and in- 
dignities that I have suffered. Yes, I repeat, I hate mankind, and 
I Avill be revenged.'’^ 
