lines of camels of the hadjys,
to which those of the people of the Hedjaz were also joined; and here
they waited in solemn and respectful silence the conclusion of the
sermon. Further removed from the preacher, was the Sherif Yahya, with
his small body of soldiers, distinguished by several green standards
carried before him. The two Mahmals, or holy camels, which carry on
their back the high structure that serves as the banner of their
respective caravans, made way with difficulty through the ranks of
camels that encircled the southern and eastern sides of the hill,
opposite to the preacher, and took their station, surrounded by their
guards, directly under the platform in front of him.[6]

The preacher, or Khatyb, who is usually the Kadhy of Mekka, was mounted
upon a finely caparisoned camel, which had been led up the steps; it
being traditionally said that Mohammed was always seated when he here
addressed his followers, a practice in which he was imitated by all
the Khalifes who came to the Hadj, and who from hence addressed their
subjects in person. The Turkish gentleman of Constantinople, however,
unused to camel-riding, could not keep his seat so well as the hardy
Bedouin prophet; and the camel becoming unruly, he was soon obliged to
alight from it. He read his sermon from a book in Arabic, which he held
in his hands. At intervals of every four or five minutes he paused, and
stretched forth his arms to implore blessings from above; while the
assembled multitudes around and before him waved the skirts of their
ihrams over their heads, and rent the air with shouts of "Lebeyk,
Allahuma Lebeyk," (i.e. Here we are, at thy commands, O God!) During
the wavings of the ihrams, the side of the mountain, thickly crowded
as it was by the people in their white garments, had the appearance
of a cataract of water; while the green umbrellas, with which several
thousand hadjys, sitting on their camels below, were provided, bore some
resemblance to a verdant plain.--During his sermon, which lasted almost
three hours, the Kadhy was seen constantly to wipe his eyes with a
handkerchief; for the law enjoins the Khatyb or preacher to be moved
with feeling and compunction; and adds that, whenever tears appear on
his face, it is a sign that the Almighty enlightens him, and is ready
to listen to his prayers.

At length the sun began to descend behind the western mountains; upon
which the Kadhy, having shut his book, received a last greeti