All these difficulties seemed such insurmoun-
table objects that they almost deterred Belzoni
from the thought of proceeding ; yet perseve-
rance, stimulated by hope, suggested to him such
means, that at last, after much exertion, and two
voyages thither, he had the satisfaction of enter-
ing the great temple of Ybsambul.
By calculating, Belzoni supposed the door I

5*



64 BELSOm IN EGYPT.
mentioned to be thirty-five feet below the sand $
and having taken a proper measurement of the
front of the temple, he found that if he could
persuade the people to work with persevering
steadiness, he might succeed in the undertaking.
Wishing first to apply to the cachefi*of Ybsara-
bul to obtain his good will if possible, he did
not examine the smaller temple that night, but
followed the road between the rocks of which*
it is hewn, and arrived on the banks of the Nile,
where they embarked, and soon landed at the
village. A group of people who were assem-
bled under a grove of palm-trees seemed some«
what surprised at the arrival of a stranger. Bel-
zoni desired to see Osseyn Cacbefi*, telling them
that he had a letter for him from his brother, the
Cacbefi* of Deir*

He for some time received no answer, but at
last was told that he who sat there was Daoud
his son. This was a man about fifty years of
age, clad in a light blue gown, with a white rag
on his head as a turban, seated upon an old mat
on the ground, a long sword and a gun by his
side, vnth about twenty men surrounding him,
who were well armed with swords, spears and
shields.
