ng of
"Lebeyk;" and the crowds rushed down the mountain, in order to quit
Arafat. It is thought meritorious to accelerate the pace on this
occasion; and many persons make it a complete race, called by the Arabs,
_Ad' dafa min Arafat_. In former times, when the strength of the
Syrian and Egyptian caravans happened to be nearly balanced, bloody
affrays took place here almost every year between them, each party
endeavouring to outrun and to carry its _mahmal_ in advance of the
other. The same happened when the _mahmals_ approached the platform
at the commencement of the sermon; and two hundred lives have on some
occasions been lost in supporting what was thought the honour of the
respective caravans. At present the power of Mohammed Aly preponderates,
and the Syrian hadjys display great humility. The united caravans and
the whole mass of pilgrims now moved forward over the plain; every
tent had been previously packed up, to be ready for the occasion. The
pilgrims pressed through the Aalameyn, which they must repass on their
return; and night came on before they reached the defile called El
Mazoumeyn. Innumerable torches were now lighted, twenty-four being
carried before each pasha; and the sparks of fire from them flew far
over the plain. There were continual discharges of artillery; the
soldiers fired their muskets; the martial bands of both the pashas
played; sky-rockets were thrown as well by the pashas' officers, as
by many private pilgrims; while the Hadj passed at a quick pace in
the greatest disorder, amidst a deafening clamour, through the pass of
Mazoumeyn, leading towards Mezdelfe, where all alighted, after a two
hours' march. No order was observed here in encamping; and every one lay
down on the spot that first presented itself, no tents being pitched
except those of the pashas and their suites; before which was an
illumination of lamps in the form of high arches, which continued to
blaze the whole night, while the firing of the artillery was kept up
without intermission.

[5] At the close of the sixteenth century, according to Kotobeddyn,
the whole plain of Arafat was cultivated.

[6] The Mahmal (an exact representation of which is given by D'Ohsson)
is a high, hollow, wooden frame, in the form of a cone, with a
pyramidal top, covered with a fine silk brocade adorned with
ostrich feathers, and having a small book of prayers and charms
placed in the midst of it,