DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11789#0064
54
ESCAPE OF A MEMLOOIv.
1811. We saw the spot where one of the Memlooks
leaped with his horse from a gap in the wall of the
citadel, downwards some fifty or sixty feet upon a
mass of loose debris beneath. The horse was killed,
but the Memlook escaped; being the only one of
this ill-fated company who survived that bloody day.
On our return, we passed through the fruit-
market, where you might see, besides many other
delicious fruits, ripe apricots at this early-season
(May 6). While threading the narrow and crooked
streets of this city of dust and fleas, I was struck
with the apparent carelessness and indifference
with which the Moslems would, while sitting lazily
in the shade on their threshold, extend their feet
into the very path along which heavily laden
camels were passing. But the animals seemed to
appreciate the confidence reposed in them, and
appeared to tread as cautiously over and around
the toes of the ruling race, as the show elephant
walks over the body of his keeper.
A custom very convenient for travellers prevails
in this and other Moslem countries, as well as in
some parts of southern Europe. When you hire a
horse or donkey, a man or boy will accompany you
on foot, for the purpose of relieving you from the
labor of whipping up the animals, as well as of
ESCAPE OF A MEMLOOIv.
1811. We saw the spot where one of the Memlooks
leaped with his horse from a gap in the wall of the
citadel, downwards some fifty or sixty feet upon a
mass of loose debris beneath. The horse was killed,
but the Memlook escaped; being the only one of
this ill-fated company who survived that bloody day.
On our return, we passed through the fruit-
market, where you might see, besides many other
delicious fruits, ripe apricots at this early-season
(May 6). While threading the narrow and crooked
streets of this city of dust and fleas, I was struck
with the apparent carelessness and indifference
with which the Moslems would, while sitting lazily
in the shade on their threshold, extend their feet
into the very path along which heavily laden
camels were passing. But the animals seemed to
appreciate the confidence reposed in them, and
appeared to tread as cautiously over and around
the toes of the ruling race, as the show elephant
walks over the body of his keeper.
A custom very convenient for travellers prevails
in this and other Moslem countries, as well as in
some parts of southern Europe. When you hire a
horse or donkey, a man or boy will accompany you
on foot, for the purpose of relieving you from the
labor of whipping up the animals, as well as of