At this time, having no servant, we performed for Mr.Ritchie the most menial offices.
Two young men, brothers, whom we had treated with great kindness, and whom we had engaged to attend on us, so far from commiserating our forlorn condition, forsook us in our distress, and even carried off our little store of rice and cuscoussou; laughing at our complaints, and well knowing that our poverty prevented the redress which we should otherwise have sought and obtained." Rhamadan, the Mahommedan Lent, was announced on the 22nd June.

The strictest fast was immediately commenced, lasting from before day, about three a.m., till sunset, seven p.m.In order to support their assumed character as Moslem; they were now obliged, during the sixteen hours, to eat only by stealth, their friend Mukni having surrounded them with spies.

Mr.Ritchie only, being confined to his bed by illness, was privileged to take food or drink.

The excessive heat, which now raged, added to their sufferings.

During the month of June, the thermometer, at five o'clock a.m., stood at from 86 deg.