Five respectable Turks of the city

I told them I should not open the door; and, if they opened it, they did it in violation of the treaty between England and the Ottoman Porte; and they did it, too, with full evidence before their eyes, from the windows in my house, from my dress, language, that I was a European. At this moment four or five respectable Turks of the city passed along, and exerted their influence in my favor, protesting to the Bedouins that I was an English consul, and that, if they broke into my house, it would be at their peril. They listened a moment, and then renewed their attempts, saying they knew neither consul nor sultan.

Turks from the city hastened

“Not being able to break open the door, they cut it down with their hatchets, and rushed upstairs like so many tigers eager for their prey. The Turks from the city hastened after them, and took their station at the door of Mrs. Goodell’s room, not allowing a single Bedouin to enter. The Bedouins seized whatever came in their way, and we snatched from them all that we could and threw into that room. They became very angry, and one of them drew his sword. Seeing it was vain to reason with them, I assumed a tone of authority, and ordered them to leave the house immediately, telling them that I had already sent a message to the city, and that the pasha would surely take off their heads if the case was represented to him.

This had the desired effect. They became calm, and listened to a long and severe reproof from me. They asked me why I remained there; why I did not go to the mountain. I told them I could not go, and gave as a reason Mrs. Goodell’s peculiar situation. The villains prayed that God would bless my wife abundantly, and make her exceedingly fruitful, to which I added my hearty Amen. They then left. (Some of the rogues came a few days afterward to inquire after her health and happiness. One of them also came to claim some tobacco which he said I stole from him while he was plundering my house.)

“ The gates of the city being now open, and the English consul, hearing of our situation, had sent three times to the Kehya Bey, commander of the pasha’s troops, to protect me, and the Kehya Bey had sent horsemen to assist me; but not one ever came nigh me. After leaving the city they galloped away to commit depredations themselves.