The Egyptians of my company were terribly afraid, and used every kind of persuasion to induce me to pass on.

I stayed till late in the afternoon, by which time I had failed to make out aright the entry of any tomb, for I suspected that such was the purpose of the sculpture of the rock.

By this time the men were rebellious; and I had to leave the valley if I did not wish my whole retinue to desert.

But I secretly made up my mind to discover the tomb, and explore it.

To this end I went further into the mountains, where I met with an Arab Sheik who was willing to take service with me.