Page:Enterprise and Adventure.djvu/215

Rh soon brought him into sight of the sea and of the shipping, which was coasting very near the beach. Weary and exhausted, he still found strength to run down to the shore, and there, in his impatience, threw himself into the water, and swam aboard one of the largest of the vessels, which happened to be that in which the Turkish commander was embarked.

Finati now returned to Cairo, but soon afterwards returned to the army, which was again fitted out for the expedition against the Wahabees, under the command of Mehemet Ali himself. Misfortune, however, still pursued him. The army was frequently defeated, and their sufferings were so great, that he determined to escape from it altogether. Having wandered about the country for some time, suffering great hardships, he was fortunate in falling in with a company of Bedouin Arabs, who were making the journey to Mecca. These people treated him kindly, and in their company he arrived at that city, so sacred in the eyes of the Mohammedans. Finati gives many curious details of his observations in the city, where he stayed for some time. After a variety of adventures, he rejoined the Egyptian army, which he accompanied throughout the campaign.

Returned again to Cairo, the war being ended, Finati was engaged by Mr. Bankes to accompany him in his travels and researches upon the Nile and in Nubia, his knowledge of the Oriental languages and of Oriental customs rendering him a useful guide to that gentleman. Returned from this journey, he again accompanied Mr. Bankes to Jerusalem, and spent a considerable time in travelling with him and examining the famous sites