One of the forests of cedar that bordered their way took fire, and the
branches that overhung the path, extending their flames to the muslins
and chintzes which covered the cages of the ladies, obliged them to jump
out, at the peril of their necks. Vathek, who vented on the occasion a
thousand blasphemies, was himself compelled to touch with his sacred feet
the naked earth.
Never had such an incident happened before. Full of mortification,
shame, and despondence, and not knowing how to walk, the ladies fell into
the dirt. "Must I go on foot?" said one; "Must I wet my feet?" cried
another; "Must I soil my dress?" asked a third; "Execrable Bababalouk!"
exclaimed all; "Outcast of hell! what hadst thou to do with torches?
Better were it to be eaten by tigers than to fall into our present
condition! we are for ever undone! Not a porter is there in the army,
nor a currier of camels, but hath seen some part of our bodies, and, what
is worse, our very faces!" On saying this the most bashful amongst them
hid their foreheads on the ground, whist such as had more boldness flew
at Bababalouk; but he, well apprized of their humour, and not wanting in
shrewdness, betook himself to his heels along with his comrades, all
dropping their torches and striking their tymbals.
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