ATTACK ON THE COLUMN OF PILGRIMS. 
223 
the terrified creatures who heard them, again struck dumb, looked 
round aghast, as if in search of some place of refuge; and then 
dispersing in every direction, some sought safety in the creeks 
and ravines, leaving their laden mules and women to their fate ; 
whilst others, on foot or on horseback, scampered up the hills, 
spreading themselves abroad, like myriads of ants, towards every 
point excepting that where the Arabs appeared. Hence it could 
not be long before some of them must fall in with the chase of 
their fugitive brethren from the rear. 
It being now high time to think of my own affairs, I told 
Sedak Beg to keep the Asiatics together, (my European I knew 
would be steady,) and to march forward; facing, and, if neces¬ 
sary, fighting our way through all opposers. The chawosh was 
a few minutes at his wit’s end, on seeing the general scatter of 
his troops ; and calling, and bawling, he rode up and down, 
bellowing to the armed to “ stop ! as was their duty. In slialla , to 
protect those who could not defend themselves !” but deafness 
was in every ear, and away they scoured with redoubled speed. 
The poor man seemed ready to tear his very beard, at this un¬ 
profitable dispersion of his pious train. But when my people 
told him that I was determined to go on at all risks, and added 
their advice, that he and his trusted band should collect as many 
of the scared pilgrims, yet within reach, as he could lay hands 
on, and then drive them before him, by our side, he seemed 
somewhat composed ; and when he saw us really move forward, 
and many of the deserted baggage mules, and those carrying 
the women and children, turn mechanically into our line, then 
he, and the poor trembling wretches still near the road, found 
encouragement to join the cavalcade ; and in a few minutes 
afterwards, we saw the eighteen or twenty Arabs who had halted 
