travels

80 TRAVELS IN EGYPT, NUBIA,the left to the right side, which elevated the muzzle of thepistol out of its usual position. I had not proceeded abovehalf a mile, when in the midst of a plantation of palm-treesit went off. The explosion confused me, as the butt endof the pistol struck violently against my side, and at firstmade me suppose I was wounded. My guide Osman utteredan exclamation, which I fancied an expression ofrevenge, and a prelude to further violence, in consequenceof some misunderstanding between his father and myself,previous to my departure from Philae. A natural impulsemade me rush against him: luckily before I had proceededto violence I found out my mistake, that my pistol haddropped through my pocket; that the ball had only grazedmy hip, and burnt my waistcoat and pantaloons, withouthurting me. I considered this as a good omen, thankedHeaven most fervently for my escape, and traversed thedesert with confidence. The reflection of the melancholyconsequences of any accident happening to me, in a countryso far removed from the possibility of surgical assistance,gave place to more agreeable sensations. With these, inspite of continual danger, over the barren and rocky mountainswe had to pass, from the badness of the road, I proceededon my way to Ibrim: fortunately in the most difficultpart there was a bright moon.About an hour after midnight we arrived at Ibrim, whereΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ