THE AUTHOR TRAVELS IN DISGUISE. 135 Had often before proved. I asked him if he would undertake to conduct me to SafFj. He required a day to consider of it. He then resolved to attempt it, provided I would adopt the dress of an Arab, and accompany him : I agreed; and we started from Mogodor at 4 o'clock, P.M. We passed into a convenient recess, to change my dress, which being done, we mounted our horses and rode away ; we had not gone two hours, before some scouts of the army came galloping towards us. Billa (my trusty guide, who was a native of Shedma, and a man of considerable influence in that province) and his friend rode off with speed to meet them, and having satisfied them that we were about business relating to the army, they returned, and Billa's friend joining me, we inclined our steps towards the sea, whilst Billa kept guard at a distance ; and, reaching a convenient and solitary retreat, we halted there till dark ; when retracing our steps for a few miles, it was concerted that I should pass as a wounded man retiring from the army to have my wounds examined and dressed. Billa was so well acquainted with the roads, and all the bye-passes of the country, that, travelling fast over the plains, not on the roads, we soon reached to the northward of the encampments of Shedma. We passed several straggling parties from the army, who saluted us with ( Salem u alikume'' "Peace be to you ;" to which we replied (** Alikume assalam") ** To you peace ;" and Billa added K 4