pletely, and found within the walls
a hollow space with a narrow entrance, in which we might remain
concealed--even if the people are looking for us--by blocking up the
passage with a few stones. The place I speak of will do even though we
are pursued immediately on leaving the camp. After this I went on for
two hours, when I found, amid a grove of palm-trees, a still larger
ruin. One side had fallen down; and I thought that if I could climb up
I might find some chambers or hollows in the heaps of ruins, in which we
might conceal ourselves without much risk of being discovered. I was
not disappointed; and if we can reach that spot without being seen, we
may remain there in safety till our pursuers have returned."

This information greatly raised our spirits, and we resolved to leave
the camp without further delay, and make our way to the tribe in
alliance with the French.

We had of late performed our respective duties with such apparent
cheerfulness that the Arabs supposed we were reconciled to our lot.
Providence, too, just then favoured us in a way we little expected.
Siddy Boo Cassem fell ill, and recollecting that Boxall was supposed to
possess medical knowledge, he sent for him; directing me to come also,
to act as interpreter. Boxall very conscientiously recommended a
sudorific, and charged him to keep himself well covered up during the
night, and on no account to leave his couch. We accordingly piled on
the top of him all the cloaks and rugs we could find, and so wrapped him
up that he could not well move had he wished it. Unsuspicious of our
designs, he promised to follow Boxall's injunctions.

The moon was now waning, and would not rise till some time after the
occupants of the camp had gone to sleep. Selim, we agreed, was to start
first; Boxall, Halliday, and I, should we not be interrupted, were to
follow; while Ben, mounted on the camel, was to make his way down the
hill, and place himself at our head, in order that, should he be seen,
he might be taken for some traveller, with his attendants, leaving the
camp on a night journey. As soon as we were out of sight of the camp,
Ben was to start off at full speed to the northward; and as I had
instructed him what to say, we hoped he would be able to make himself
sufficiently understood to induce the tribe to move forward to our
rescue.

Selim set off at the time agreed on, and soon disappeared in the
darkness. We then crept out one by one, and made