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long, almost covered with sand; some small hills, overgrown with rushes and other plants, are scattered here and there, and the temple of which Belzoni was in search was supposed to have been in or near this spot. Our travellers advanced towards a forest of date-trees, situated near a village named Zaboo, and all of them were exceedingly thirsty. Before the camels arrived they scented the water at some distance, and set off at full gallop, without stopping till they reached a rivulet, where, having alighted for a short time to allow the camels to drink, Belzoni observed a certain uneasiness in the manner of Scheik Grumar, for which he did not know how to account.

OWEN. Had he been an Arab of Gournou I should have thought that some bad design had entered his head: but he was an honest Bedouin, you know. I want to hear what reason he had for behaving so. Go on, if you please, mamma.

MRS. A.-Belzoni went farther down the rivulet to drink too, and after having watered the camels, they were about to proceed slowly towards the village; but no sooner were they mounted than they heard some one calling to them, and at the same moment a man rushed out of the bushes

with a gun, and put himself into an attitude as if

to fire upon them.

OWEN.-Some plot of Scheik Grumar's for certain! Pray who was that man?

MRS. A.--His appearance was not very terrifying, nor did his dress bespeak him to be a person of much consequence. He was not more than four feet high, of a chocolate colour (as the Bedouins generally are), and covered with a black woollen cloth. The Scheik immediately dismounted, speaking to him in the Arabic dialect. The man recognized him, and Belzoni was pleased to observe they appeared friendly towards each other. The man was anxious to learn of whom the party consisted the guide told him that they were people in search of old stones; to which he replied that no one ever came there to seek for old stones, and he did not know what the Scheiks of Zaboo, the village to which they were going, would think of it; he said also that he had intended to shoot Belzoni while he was kneeling to drink at the spring.

OWEN. What an escape! Scheik Grumar was of some use, for you know, mamma, if that mysterious little man had not recognized him, he might have carried his design into execution.

MRS. A. They continued to advance towards Zaboo, and the man began to walk before them; but when they had nearly reached the village he

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trees.

ran off as fast as he could into a wood of palmOur travellers now entered a valley, which formed a most pleasing contrast to the barren scenes of the desert, for it was full of date and palm-trees, some covered with blossom, and others loaded with fruit; apricots scented the air with their mellow fragrance; figs, almonds, and grapes grew in profusion; the ground was covered with verdure, and here and there a spot of cultivated land was seen waving with rice. On their approaching a wide place the guide halted, and desired them to wait till his return; he walked on, and Belzoni perceived that he went into a kind of habitation at some distance.

OWEN. I am sure if I had been Belzoni I would never have waited there at the pleasure of Scheik Grumar.

MRS. A.-The poor Scheik seems no favourite of yours: perhaps you will alter your mind presently.

Half an hour passed and he did not return: Belzoni inquired of the drivers where the guide was gone; they replied they did not know. Another hour passed, no Scheik appeared; Belzoni was tired of waiting, and set off with his gun towards the place which he had seen the guide enter; but before he reached the spot he heard the

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