220 MARCH WITH THE PILGRIMS. 
summons for him to be on the look-out. From the time of our 
setting forth, he had ridden by my side; and, from his past ex¬ 
perience, I could not but consider him the best qualified to direct 
our movements. Accordingly, when the sun began to mount, 
he betook himself to the higher ground, rather in advance, and 
to the right of the path we were on ; while he directed a few of 
his “ most undaunted followers,” to take a similar line on the 
left. He requested me, with my party, to consider ourselves the 
head of the whole band of pilgrims stretching ^ut of sight behind 
us ; and begged us to keep on before them, with a steady pace, 
whatever might happen, for in the case of a sudden onset, 
without such an example, they would take to flight in every di¬ 
rection. The motley crew, over whom I was thus left temporary 
leader, shewed as great a variety of arms as habits ; some carried 
matchlocks, others pieces of more modern fashion ; and the rest, 
pistols, swords, daggers, knives, and club-like staves. Indeed, both 
in numbers and equipment, they presented so formidable an ap¬ 
pearance, I could not conceive it possible that a score or two of 
half-naked Arabs, (the usual complement for any single band of 
these wild free-booters,) armed, perhaps, with only a dozen of 
spears, and as many long guns, could put an atom of alarm into 
so multitudinous an array. But the confession of their worthy 
captain was too good authority for something more than this 
belief; and I could only lament, that so redoubtable a front was 
so likely to turn its back. With regard to my own little troop, 
its baggage was carefully disposed in the center of our line, and 
each individual ordered to maintain his position in the march. 
From habit, we were all pretty much on the alert in times of 
apprehended danger ; and this, as I had been told, being one of 
extreme threatening, the practical lessons we had learnt in the 
