Among The Attendants Of The Bey Were The
"Guarda-Pipa," Guard Of The Pipe, "Guarda-Fusile," Guard Of The Gun,
"Guarda-Cafe," Guard Of The Coffee, "Guarda-Scarpe," Guard Of The Shoes,
[32] And "Guarda-Acqua," Guard Of Water.
A man followed the Bey about
holding in his hand a golden cup, and leading a mule, having two paniers
on its back full of water, which was brought from Tunis by camels.
There
was also a story-teller, who entertained the Bey every night with the
most extraordinary stories, some of them frightfully absurd. The Bey did
not smoke - a thing extraordinary, as nearly all men smoke in Tunis. His
Highness always dined alone. None of his ladies ever accompany him in
these expeditions.
The tents had in them from twenty to fifty men each. Our tent consisted
of our two selves, a Boab to guard the baggage, two Arabs to tend the
horses and camels, and another Moor of all work, besides Captain
Balfour's Maltese, called Michael. We had three camels for our baggage.
The first night we found very cold; but having abundance of clothing, we
slept soundly, in spite of the perpetual wild shoutings of the Arab
sentries, stationed round the camp, the roaring and grumbling of the
camels, the neighing and coughing of the horses, all doing their utmost
to drive away slumber from our eyelids.
We halted on the morrow, which gave us an opportunity of getting a few
things from Tunis which we had neglected to bring.
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