only the dangling palampores and variegated
tatters of his gay retinue. As there were several clefts in the rock
from whence water seemed to have flowed, Vathek applied his ear, with the
hope of catching the sound of some latent runnel, but could only
distinguish the low murmurs of his people, who were repining at their
journey, and complaining for the want of water.

"To what purpose," asked they, "have we been brought hither? Hath our
Caliph another tower to build? or have the relentless Afrits, whom
Carathis so much loves, fixed in this place their abode?"

At the name of Carathis Vathek recollected the tablets he had received
from his mother, who assured him they were fraught with preternatural
qualities, and advised him to consult them as emergencies might require.
Whilst he was engaged in turning them over he heard a shout of joy and a
loud clapping of hands; the curtains of his pavilion were soon drawn
back, and he beheld Bababalouk, followed by a troop of his favourites,
conducting two dwarfs, each a cubit high, who brought between them a
large basket of melons, oranges, and pomegranates. They were singing in
the sweetest tones the words that follow:

"We dwell on the top of these rocks in a cabin of rushes and canes; the
eagles envy us our nest; a small spring supplies us with Abdest, and we
daily repeat prayers which the Prophet approves. We love you, O
Commander of the Faithful! our master, the good Emir Fakreddin, loves you
also; he reveres in your person the vicegerent of Mahomet. Little as we
are, in us he confides; he knows our hearts to be good as our bodies are
contemptible, and hath placed us here to aid those who are bewildered on
these dreary mountains. Last night, whilst we were occupied within our
cell in reading the holy Koran, a sudden hurricane blew out our lights
and rocked our habitation; for two whole hours a palpable darkness
prevailed, but we heard sounds at a distance which we conjectured to
proceed from the bells of a Cafila passing over the rocks; our ears were
soon filled with deplorable shrieks, frightful roarings, and the sound of
tymbals. Chilled with terror, we concluded that the Deggial, with his
exterminating angels, had sent forth their plagues on the earth. In the
midst of these melancholy reflections we perceived flames of the deepest
red glow in the horizon, and found ourselves in a few moments covered
with flakes of fire; amazed at so strange an appearance, we took