From his position the Wanderer could see the advancing caravans1; but as the spectacle would consume the afternoon, he called his three attendants, and issued directions for the entertainment of the Emir in the evening; this done, he cast himself upon the rug, and gave rein3 to his curiosity, thinking, not unreasonably4, to find in what would pass before him something bearing on the subject ever present in his mind.
The sky could not be called blue of any tint5; it seemed rather to be filled with common dust mixed with powder of crushed brick. The effect was of a semi-transparent ceiling flushed with heat from the direct down-beating action of the sun, itself a disk of flame. Low mountains, purplish black in hue6, made a horizon on which the ceiling appeared set, like the crystal in the upper valve of a watch. Thus shut in, but still fair to view east and south of the position the spectator occupied, lay El Zaribah, whither, as the appointed meeting place, so many pilgrims had for days and weeks ever wearier growing been "walking with their eyes." In their thought the Valley was not so much a garden or landscape of beauty as an ante-chamber of the House of Allah. As they neared it now, journeying since the break of day, impatience7 seized them; so when the cry sped down the irregular column--"It is here! It is here!" they answered with a universal labbayaki, signifying, "Thou hast called us-- here we are, here we are!" Then breaking into a rabble8, they rushed multitudinously forward. To give the reader an idea of the pageant9 advancing to possess itself of the Valley, it will be well to refresh his memory with a few details. He should remember, in the first place, that it was not merely the caravan2 which left El Katif over on the western shore of the Green Sea, but two great caravans merged10 into one--El Shemi, from Damascus, and Misri, from Cairo. To comprehend these, the region they drained of pilgrims should be next considered. For example, at Cairo there was a concentration from the two Egypts, Upper and Lower, from the mysterious deserts of Africa, and from the cities and countries along the southern shore of the Mediterranean11 far as Gibraltar; while the whole East, using the term in its most comprehensive sense, emptied contingents12 of the devout13 into Damascus. In forwarding the myriads14 thus poured down upon them the Arabs were common carriers, like the Venetians to the hordes15 of western Europe in some of the later crusades; so to their thousands of votaries16 proper, the other thousands of them engaged in the business are also to be computed17. El Medina was the great secondary rendezvous18. Hardly could he be accounted of the Faithful who in making the pilgrimage would turn his back upon the bones of the Prophet; of such merit was the saying, "One prayer in this thy mosque19 is of more virtue20 than a thousand in other places, save only the Masjid El Haram." Once at Medina, how could the pilgrim refuse his presence, if not his tears, at El Kuba, forever sacred to the Mohammedan heart as the first place of public prayer in Islam? Finally, it should not be forgotten that the year we write of belonged to a cycle when readers of the Koran and worshippers at Mecca were more numerous than now, if not more zealous21 and believing. And it was to witness the passing of this procession, so numerous, so motley, so strangely furnished, so uncontrolled except as it pleased, the Prince of India was seated at the door of his tent upon the hill. Long before the spectacle was sighted in the distance, its approach was announced by an overhanging pillar of cloud, not unlike that which went before the Israelites in their exodus22 through similar wastes. Shortly after the interview with the Emir, the Prince, looking under the pillar, saw a darkening line appear, not more at first than a thread stretched across a section of the east.
The apparition23 was without a break; nor might he have said it was in motion or of any depth. A sound came from the direction not unlike that of a sibilant wind. Presently out of the perspective, which reduced the many to one and all sizes to a level, the line developed into unequal divisions, with intervals24 between them; about the same time the noise became recognizable as the voices fiercely strained and inarticulate of an innumerable host of men. Then the divisions broke into groups, some larger than others; a little later individuals became discernible; finally what had appeared a line resolved itself into a convulsing mass, without front, without wings, but of a depth immeasurable.
The pilgrims did not attempt to keep the road; having converted their march into a race, they spread right and left over the country, each seeking a near way; sometimes the object was attained25, sometimes not; the end was a confusion beyond description. The very inequalities of the ground helped the confusion. A group was one moment visible on a height; then it vanished in a hollow. Now there were thousands on a level; then, as if sinking, they went down, down, and presently where they were there was only dust or a single individual.
Afterwhile, so wide was the inrolling tide, the field of vision overflowed27, and the eye was driven to ranging from point to point, object to object. Then it was discernible that the mass was mixed of animals and men--here horses, there camels--some with riders, some without--all, the burdened as well as unburdened, straining forward under urgency of shriek28 and stick--forward for life--forward as if of the two "comforts," Success beckoned29 them in front, and Despair behind plied30 them with spears. [Footnote: In the philosophy of the Arabs Success and Despair are treated as comforts.]
At length the eastern boundary of the Valley was reached. There one would suppose the foremost of the racers, the happy victors, would rest or, at their leisure, take of the many sites those they preferred; but no--the penalty attaching to the triumph was the danger of being run down by the thousands behind. In going on there was safety--and on they went.
To this time the spectacle had been a kind of panoramic31 generality; now the details came to view, and accustomed as he was to marvels32 of pageantry, the Prince exclaimed: "These are not men, but devils fleeing from the wrath33 of God!" and involuntarily he went nearer, down to the brink34 of the height. It seemed the land was being inundated35 with camels; not the patient brutes36 we are used to thinking of by that name, with which domestication37 means ill-treatment and suffering--the slow-going burden-bearers, always appealing to our sympathy because always apparently38 tired, hungry, sleepy, worn-out--always reeling on as if looking for quiet places in which to slip their loads of whatever kind, and lie down and die; but the camel aroused, enraged39, frightened, panic-struck, rebellious40, sending forth41 strange cries, and running with all its might--an army of camels hurling42 their gigantic hulks along at a rate little less than blind impetus43. And they went, singly, and in strings44, and yonder a mass. The slower, and those turned to the right or left of the direct course, and all such as had hesitated upon coming to a descent, were speedily distanced or lost to sight; so the ensemble45 was constantly shifting. And then the rolling and tossing of the cargoes46 and packages on the backs of the animals, and the streaming out of curtains, scarfs, shawls, and loose draperies of every shape and color, lent touches of drollery47 and bright contrasts to the scene. One instant the spectator on the hill was disposed to laugh, then to admire, then to shiver at the immensity of a danger; over and over again amidst his quick variation of feeling, he repeated the exclamation48: "These are not men, but devils fleeing from the wrath of God!"
Such was the spectacle in what may be called the second act; presently it reached a third; and then the fury of the movement, so inconsistent with the habits and patient nature of the camel, was explained. In the midst of the hurly-burly, governing and directing it, were horsemen, an army of themselves. Some rode in front, and the leading straps49 on which they pulled with the combined strength of man and horse identified them as drivers; others rode as assistants of the drivers, and they were armed with goads50 which they used skilfully51 and without mercy. There were many collisions, upsets, and entanglements52; yet the danger did not deter53 the riders from sharing the excitement, and helping54 it forward to their utmost. They too used knotted ropes, and stabbed with sharpened sticks; they also contributed to the unearthly tumult55 of sounds which travelled with the mob, a compound of prayers, imprecations, and senseless screams--the medley56 that may be occasionally heard from a modern mad-house.
In the height of the rush the Shaykh came up.
"How long," said the Prince--"in the Prophet's name, how long will this endure?"
"Till night, O most excellent Hadji--if the caravans be so long in coming."
"Is it usual?"
"It has been so from the beginning."
Thereupon the curiosity of the Prince took another turn. A band of horsemen galloped57 into view--free riders, with long lances carried upright, their caftans flying, and altogether noble looking.
"These are Arabs. I know by their horses and their bearing," said he, with admiration58; "but possibly thou canst give me the name of their tribe."
The Shaykh answered with pride: "Their horses are gray, and by the sign, O lover of the Prophet, they are the Beni-Yarb. Every other one of them is a poet; in the face of an enemy, they are all warriors59."
The camps on the hill, with the yellow flag giving notice of the Emir's station, had effect upon others besides the Yarbis; all who wished to draw out of the melange60 turned towards them, bringing the spectacle in part to the very feet of the Wanderer; whereas he thought with a quicker beating of the heart, "The followers61 of the Prophet are coming to show me of what they are this day composed." Then he said to the Shaykh, "Stand thou here, and tell me as I shall ask."
The conversation between them may be thus summarized:
The current which poured past then, its details in perfect view, carried along with it all the conditions and nationalities of the pilgrimage. Natives of the desert on bare-backed camels, clinging to the humps with one hand, while they pounded with the other--natives on beautiful horses, not needing whip or spur--natives on dromedaries so swift, sure-footed, and strong there was no occasion for fear. Men, and often women and children, on ragged62 saddle-cloths, others in pretentious63 boxes, and now and then a person whose wealth and rank were published by the magnificence of the litter in which he was borne, swinging luxuriously64 between long-stepping dromedaries from El Sbark.
"By Allah!" the Prince exclaimed. "Here hath barbarism its limit! Behold65!"
They of whom he spoke66 came up in irregular array mounted on dromedaries without housing. At their head rode one with a white lettered green flag, and beating an immense drum. They were armed with long spears of Indian bamboo, garnished67 below the slender points with swinging tufts of ostrich68 feathers. Each carried a woman behind him disdainful of a veil. The feminine screams of exultation69 rose high above the yells of the men, helping not a little to the recklessness with which the latter bore onward70.
Woe71 to such in their way as were poorly mounted. In a twinkling they were ridden down. Nor did those fare better who were overtaken struggling with a string of camels. The crash of bursting boxes, the sharp report of rending72 ropes, the warning cry, the maddening cheer; a battle of men, another of beasts--and when the collision had passed, the earth was strewn with its wreck73.
"They are Wahabbas, O Hadji," said the Shaykh. "Thou seest the tufts on their spears. Under them they carry Jehannum."
"And these now coming?" asked the Prince. "Their long white hats remind me of Persia."
"Persians they are," replied the Shaykh, his lip curling, his eyes gleaming. "They will tear their clothes, and cut their shaven crowns, and wail74, 'Woe's me, O Ali!' then kiss the Kaaba with defilement75 on their beards. The curse of the Shaykaim is on them--may it stay there!"
Then the Prince knew it was a Sunite speaking of Schiahs.
Yet others of the Cafila of Bagdad passed with the despised sons of Iran; notably76 Deccanese, Hindoos, Afghans, and people from the Himalayas, and beyond them far as Kathay, and China, and Siam, all better known to the Prince than to his Shaykh, who spoke of them, saying, "Thou shouldst know thine own, O Hadji! Thou art their father!"
Next, in a blending that permitted no choice of associates, along swept the chief constituents77 of the caravans--Moors and Blackamoors, Egyptians, Syrians, Turks, Kurds, Caucasians, and Arabs of every tribe, each a multitude of themselves, and their passing filled up the afternoon.
Towards sundown the hurry and rush of the movement perceptibly slackened. Over in the west there were signs of a halt; tents were rising, and the smoke of multiplying fires began to deepen the blue of the distance. It actually appeared as if settlement for the night would creep back upon the east, whence the irruption had burst.
At a moment when the Prince's interest in the scene was commencing to flag, and he was thinking of returning to his tent, the rearmost divisions of the pilgrims entered the Valley. They were composed of footmen and donkey-riders, for whom the speed of the advance bodies had been too great. High-capped Persians, and Turks whose turbans were reduced to faded fezes, marched in the van, followed closely by a rabble of Takruris, ragged, moneyless, living upon meat of abandoned animals. Last of all were the sick and dying, who yet persisted in dragging their fainting limbs along as best they could. Might they but reach the Holy City! Then if they died it would be as martyrs78 for whom the doors of Paradise are always open. With them, expectants of easy prey79, like the rakham [Footnote: Vultures.] sailing in slow circles overhead, flocked the beggars, thieves, outcasts and assassins; but night came quickly, and covered them, and all the things they did, for evil and night have been partners from the beginning.
At last the Prince returned to his tent. He had seen the sun set over El Zaribah; he had seen the passing of the caravans. Out there in the Valley they lay. They--to him, and for his purposes, the Mohammedan world unchanged--the same in composition, in practice, in creed--only he felt now a consciousness of understanding them as never before. Mahomet, in his re-introduction of God to man, had imposed himself upon their faith, its master idea, its central figure, the superior in sanctity, the essential condition--the ONE! Knowingly or unknowingly, he left a standard of religious excellence80 behind him--Himself. And by that standard the thief in the wake of the mighty81 caravans robbing the dead, the Thug strangling a victim because he was too slow in dying, were worthy82 Paradise, and would attain26 it, for they believed in him. Faith in the Prophet of God was more essential than faith in God. Such was the inspiration of Islam. A sinking of spirit fell upon the unhappy man. He felt a twinge of the bitterness always waiting on failure, where the undertaking83, whatever it be, has enlisted84 the whole heart. At such times instinctively85 we turn here and there for help, and in its absence, for comfort and consolation86; what should he do now but advert87 to Christianity? What would Christians88 say of his idea? Was God lost in Christ as he was here in Mahomet?
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caravans
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| （可供居住的）拖车（通常由机动车拖行）( caravan的名词复数 )； 篷车； （穿过沙漠地带的）旅行队（如商队） | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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unreasonably
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| adv. 不合理地 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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contingents
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| （志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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hordes
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| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
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votaries
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| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
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computed
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| adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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mosque
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| n.清真寺 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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exodus
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| v.大批离去，成群外出 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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panoramic
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| adj. 全景的 | |
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marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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inundated
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| v.淹没( inundate的过去式和过去分词 )；（洪水般地）涌来；充满；给予或交予（太多事物）使难以应付 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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domestication
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| n.驯养，驯化 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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ensemble
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| n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果 | |
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cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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drollery
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| n.开玩笑，说笑话；滑稽可笑的图画（或故事、小戏等） | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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goads
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| n.赶牲口的尖棒( goad的名词复数 )v.刺激( goad的第三人称单数 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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entanglements
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| n.瓜葛( entanglement的名词复数 )；牵连；纠缠；缠住 | |
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deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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medley
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| n.混合 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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melange
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| n.混合物；大杂烩 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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67
garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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69
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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70
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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71
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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72
rending
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| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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73
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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74
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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75
defilement
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| n.弄脏，污辱，污秽 | |
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76
notably
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| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
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77
constituents
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| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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78
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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79
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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80
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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81
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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82
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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83
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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84
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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85
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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86
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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87
advert
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| vi.注意，留意，言及；n.广告 | |
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88
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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