[111]. Arab. “Khammárah”; still the popular term throughout Egypt for a European Hotel. It is not always intended to be insulting but it is, meaning the place where Franks meet to drink forbidden drinks.
[112]. A reminiscence of Mohammed who cleansed the Ka’abah of its 360 idols (of which 73 names are given by Freytag, Einleitung, etc. pp. 270, 342-57) by touching them with his staff, whereupon all fell to the ground; and the Prophet cried (Koran xvii. 84), “Truth is come, and falsehood is vanished: verily, falsehood is a thing that vanisheth” (magna est veritas, etc.). Amongst the “idols” are said to have been a statue of Abraham and the horns of the ram sacrificed in lieu of Ishmael, which (if true) would prove conclusively that the Abrahamic legend at Meccah is of ancient date and not a fiction of Al-Islam. Hence, possibly, the respect of the Judaising Tobbas of Himyarland for the Ka’abah (Pilgrimage, iii. 295).
[113]. This was evidently written by a Sunni as the Shí’ahs claim to be the only true Moslems. Lane tells an opposite story (ii. 329). It suggests the common question in the South of Europe, “Are you a Christian or a Protestant?”
[114]. Arab. “Ana fí jírat-ak!” a phrase to be remembered as useful in time of danger.
[115]. i.e. No Jinni, or Slave of the Jewel, was there to answer.
[116]. Arab. “Kunsúl” (pron. “Gunsul”) which here means a well-to-do Frank, and shows the modern date of the tale as it stands.
[117]. From the Ital. “Capitano.” The mention of cannon and other terms in this tale shows that either it was written during the last century or it has been mishandled by copyists.
[118]. Arab. “Minínah”; a biscuit of flour and clarified butter.
[119]. Arab. “Waybah;” the sixth part of the Ardabb = 6 to 7 English gallons.
[120]. He speaks in half-jest à la Fellah; and reminds us of “Hangman, drive on the cart!”