The good Mussulmans fancied that they heard the
sullen hum of those nocturnal insects which presage evil, and importuned
Vathek to beware how he ventured his sacred person.
On a given signal the great standard of the Califat was displayed, twenty
thousand lances shone around it, and the Caliph, treading loyally on the
cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litter
amidst the general awe that possessed his subjects.
The expedition commenced with the utmost order and so entire a silence,
that even the locusts were heard from the thickets on the plain of
Catoul. Gaiety and good-humour prevailing, six good leagues were past
before the dawn; and the morning star was still glittering in the
firmament when the whole of this numerous train had halted on the banks
of the Tigris, where they encamped to repose for the rest of the day.
The three days that followed were spent in the same manner; but on the
fourth the heavens looked angry, lightnings broke forth in frequent
flashes, re-echoing peals of thunder succeeded, and the trembling
Circassians clung with all their might to their ugly guardians.
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