There were four beside ours.

Layelah informed me that I was to go with her, and Almah was to go on another athaleb.

I entreated her to let Almah go with me; but she declined, saying that our athaleb could only carry two, as he seemed fatigued, and it would not be safe to overload him for so long a flight.

I told her that Almah and I could go together on the same athaleb; but she objected on the ground of my ignorance of driving.

And so, remonstrances and objections being alike useless, I was compelled to yield to the arrangements that had been made.