CHAPTER XI.

The White Monastery--Abou Shenood--Devastations of the Mamelukes--Description of the Monastery--Different styles of its exterior and interior Architecture--Its ruinous condition--Description of the Church--The Baptistery--Ancient Rites of Baptism--The Library--Modern Architecture--The Church of San Francesco at Rimini--The Red Monastery--Alarming rencontre with an armed party--Feuds between the native Tribes--Faction fights--Eastern Story Tellers--Legends of the Desert--Abraham and Sarah--Legendary Life of Moses--Arabian Story-tellers--Attention of their Audience 130

THE ISLAND OF PHILŒ, &c.