BACOUBI. 
239 
I looked at my poor invalids, and did indeed feel as if these 
signals from the distant town, welcomed our approach to its rest. 
The distance from Sharaban to Bacoubi, is about eight farsangs, 
which we accomplished in nine hours and a half. We did not 
enter the place itself, but took up our quarters in a spacious khaun 
near its extremity. The travellers in the panniers, from their 
packed-up position, were hardly able to move when extracted 
from their compressing vehicles ; and while I was inspecting their 
more comfortable lodgement for repose, I observed several young 
women come into the court to sell bread. Their dress was so 
different from any I had seen before, it excited my atten¬ 
tion. They were Arabs, settled in Bacoubi; and as their faces 
were free to the gazer, though I was at some distance from them, 
I could perceive that their features were marked and fine, but 
with complexions of an extremely sallow and gipsy hue. Their 
heads were bound round with a handkerchief, which hung down 
loose behind, while a long shift-like gown, with wide sleeves, 
covered their bodies, and reached below the ankles. At the 
bosom it was slightly open; in short, the whole dress proclaimed 
freedom with modesty. 
Not long after my contemplation of this specimen of the fair 
sex, so far onward in the country of the beauteous Zobiede and 
her three enchanting and enchanted sisters, my eyes were arrested 
by a very different group entering the khaun-yard; a Turk of 
high apparent consequence, but totally unlike our Esculapian 
friend of the faded-green satin; this venerable personage being 
in all respects splendidly attired. A gorgeous pelisse and turban, 
with richly embroidered pistol-cases and saddle-cloth, adorned 
himself and horse; while two martial-looking Arabs, well mounted 
and armed with daggers and lances, attended his steps, as he 
