cutlasses, with rude native knives, were likewise
exhibited, half-devoured by cankering rust. Clumsy
muskets and fowling-pieces, as well as Arab pistole,
were also handled with delight by the joyful Mussulmans.
In number the religionists were about a hundred and
fifty. Not long after the arrival of the two
brothers, they formed themselves into six lines, and
having laid aside many of their superfluous ornaments,
and a portion of their clothing, they put on the most
sedate countenance, and commenced their devotional
exercises in a spirit of seriousness and apparent
fervour, worthy of a better place and a more amiable
creed. In the exterior forms of their religion,
at least, the Mussulmans are here complete adepts,
as this spectacle was well calculated to convince
the two Europeans, and the little which they had
hitherto seen of them, led them to form a very favourable
opinion of their general temperance and sobriety.
The ceremony was no sooner concluded, than muskets,
carbines, and pistols were discharged on all sides.
The clarionet again struck up a note of joy, and was
supported by long Arab drums, strings of bells, and
a solitary kettle-drum. The musicians, like the
ancient minstrels of Europe, were encouraged by trifling
presents from the more charitable of the multitude.
All seemed cheerful and happy, and, on leaving the
Landers, several out of compliment, it was supposed,
discharged their pieces at their heels, and were evidently
delighted with themselves, with the two English, and
the whole world.
In the path, the Landers met a fellow approaching
the scene of innocent dissipation, clothed most fantastically
in a flannel dress and riding on the back, on what
they were informed was a wooden horse. He was
surrounded by natives of all ages, who were laughing
most extravagantly at the unnatural capering of the
thing, and admiring the ingenuity of the contrivance.
The figure itself was entirely concealed with cloths,
which rendered it impossible to discover by what agency
it was moved. Its head was covered with red cloth,
and a pair of sheep’s ears answered the purpose
for which they were intended tolerably well.
Yet, on the whole, though it was easy to perceive
that a horse was intended to be represented by it,
the figure was executed clumsily enough. As soon
as this party had joined the individuals assembled
near the place of worship, a startling shriek of laughter
testified the tumultuous joy of the wondering multitude.
The sun shone out resplendently on the happy groups
of fancifully dressed persons, whose showy, various-coloured
garments, and sooty skin, contrasted with the picturesque
and lovely appearance of the scenery, produced an
unspeakably charming effect. The foliage exhibited
every variety and tint of green, from the sombre shade
of the melancholy yew, to the lively verdure of the
poplar and young oak. “For myself,”
says John Lander, “I was delighted with the
agreeable ramble, and imagined that I could distinguish