DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11637#0158
AND LOWER EGYPT. 143
situation than this sort of convent. Built in the
midst of the desert, its walls, though very lofty,
are not distinguishable,at any considerabledistance,
from the sand, of which they have the reddish
tinge and bare aspect. There is no apparent
entrance: no tree, no plant of any height, is
seen around it: no path leads to it: no trace of
human footstep is observable in its vicinity; and
if a few be imprinted, they are soon covered by
the sand, or obliterated by the tread of wild and
ferocious beasts, the proper inhabitants of these
frightful solitudes. Such is the rude and painful
appearance of this dungeon, occupied by men as
useless as the place they inhabit.
We were about five or six hundred paces from
it. Hussein had advanced before us, to obtain
our admission into the convent, which is to be
procured with difficulty. I was some way from
him, and the rest of our company was at a con-
siderable distance. A troop of Bedouins on
horseback suddenly issued from behind the walls.
At first I did not distinguish them amid the clouds
of dust they raised : but as soon as they were
discernible, I perceived both their number and
what they were. Instantly I turned about my
horse's head, and, being mounted on an excellent
courser, which carried mc with too much speed
for them to overtake me, soon joined my com-
panions,
situation than this sort of convent. Built in the
midst of the desert, its walls, though very lofty,
are not distinguishable,at any considerabledistance,
from the sand, of which they have the reddish
tinge and bare aspect. There is no apparent
entrance: no tree, no plant of any height, is
seen around it: no path leads to it: no trace of
human footstep is observable in its vicinity; and
if a few be imprinted, they are soon covered by
the sand, or obliterated by the tread of wild and
ferocious beasts, the proper inhabitants of these
frightful solitudes. Such is the rude and painful
appearance of this dungeon, occupied by men as
useless as the place they inhabit.
We were about five or six hundred paces from
it. Hussein had advanced before us, to obtain
our admission into the convent, which is to be
procured with difficulty. I was some way from
him, and the rest of our company was at a con-
siderable distance. A troop of Bedouins on
horseback suddenly issued from behind the walls.
At first I did not distinguish them amid the clouds
of dust they raised : but as soon as they were
discernible, I perceived both their number and
what they were. Instantly I turned about my
horse's head, and, being mounted on an excellent
courser, which carried mc with too much speed
for them to overtake me, soon joined my com-
panions,