The large quadrangle formed a sort of stable-yard, wherein were littered camels, horses, mules, and donkeys. The surrounding enclosure, covered with a flat stone roof, was walled in on two sides, and on the others formed a range of open sheds wherein the camel drivers piled their burdens, or the keeper of the caravanserai sheltered his cattle. On the other sides a series of doors gave admission to as many small cellars, or dungeons, with no other opening than the door for admitting light or air, empty, except for remnants of dirty straw and rubbish, but apparently tenanted by every imaginable variety of insect and creeping thing. The keeper of the caravanserai, a repulsive-looking old man, threw open one of the doors, and explained that the apartment had been reserved for our use. No deliberation was necessary on this occasion, for a unanimous declaration burst from our lips—nothing would induce us to enter such a filthy den—and we at once announced our intention to pass the night upon the roof. Our luggage was accordingly conveyed up through a narrow stone staircase, and we proceeded to prepare our frugal supper, of which portable soup was the chief ingredient, and soon afterwards to make our arrangements for the night. Our so-called interpreter had become altogether obnoxious to us. During our mid-day halt he had coolly appropriated the most comfortable spot in the shade, devoured most of our oranges, and plainly showed that he had no notion of taking the slightest trouble about a set of Frankish lunatics, who spent their time in grubbing up little weeds by the roots, and looking at them through bits of glass. He relieved us altogether of his presence this evening; and we felt a certain satisfaction in thinking that his well-fed carcase would during the night supply wholesome and abundant food for the legions of hungry insects that tenanted the ground-floor of our hotel. Old Bulbo, whether because he shared our preference for the clean and airy quarters on the roof, or because he wished to display his zeal for our protection, installed himself with the long gun in the red case at a convenient distance, while we, after slowly consuming the evening cigar, unrolled our cork mattresses, and prepared our bivouac. We scarcely noticed at first the peculiar construction of the roof. Round three sides of the building there was a low parapet wall, but none whatever towards the front, where the flags sloped slightly outwards, and ended abruptly at the edge of the outer wall of the building. The stars shone brightly in the sky, and a pleasant breeze from the east fanned our faces as we lay down to rest on the front part of the roof, congratulating ourselves on the excellence of our quarters, when compared to the misery we had escaped below. Before long the breeze freshened, the night grew cooler (55° Fahr.), and we were glad to lace the oilcloth covers of our mattresses so as to keep out the keen air. Before doing