173
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS.
[chap, xvh
past the smugglers and out of their sight round a projecting
rock.
I had still a weary distance to travel ; and the broad stream
of the Nahr el Kelb to ford or swim, as my jaded horse happened
to choose the way, of which I was profoundly ignorant, ^he sun
rose as I entered Bey rout and dismounted from my horse, just
twenty-five hours after I had mounted him the preceding day.
The moment his saddle was removed, the poor brute lay down
upon the sand ; but, after a few minutes' rest, when barley was
offered to him, he stood up again, and ate heartily.
I had just flung myself on my bed, when I saw the foretopsail
of the Vernon cast loose, the signal that she was going to sea. I
ran to the shore, hailed a fishing-boat, and got on board in time
to take leave of my hospitable and gallant friends and their noble
ship, which had so long afforded me a home.
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS.
[chap, xvh
past the smugglers and out of their sight round a projecting
rock.
I had still a weary distance to travel ; and the broad stream
of the Nahr el Kelb to ford or swim, as my jaded horse happened
to choose the way, of which I was profoundly ignorant, ^he sun
rose as I entered Bey rout and dismounted from my horse, just
twenty-five hours after I had mounted him the preceding day.
The moment his saddle was removed, the poor brute lay down
upon the sand ; but, after a few minutes' rest, when barley was
offered to him, he stood up again, and ate heartily.
I had just flung myself on my bed, when I saw the foretopsail
of the Vernon cast loose, the signal that she was going to sea. I
ran to the shore, hailed a fishing-boat, and got on board in time
to take leave of my hospitable and gallant friends and their noble
ship, which had so long afforded me a home.