state, as theeause of this misfortune, that before doing something
Cwhich our party could not distinctly make out) she had omitted to
say TjisTnillab I (in the name of God) a form always used by good and
pious Mahometans to draw down a blessing upon whatever they are
about to do. This omission (he declared) had been the cause of her
d r o p p i n g some water upon the head of the spirit’s child, who was passing
beneath her (under ground) at the time; and the justly-enraged
gnome had in consequence leaped into her, and was now in the act
of tormenting her for the crime. Our party of listeners could hardly
contain themselves, at this most ingenious discovery of the Shereef;
but all the Arabs within the tent believed it most fully, and the poor
girl herself began to cry bitterly and to bewail her hard fate and
most unlucky omission. The Marabut, however, now bade her. take
comfort, and assured her that the case, though undoubtedly a serious
one, was not altogether without a remedy. He accordingly called
up a severe -and commanding look, and, in a tone of, authority,
ordered the spirit to leave her. As the pain still continued without
intermission, it was evident that this personage was not inclined to
obey; and the holy man then pronounced him a most obstinate
spirit, and told him that he knew of his having entered the woman
long before she had sent for his assistance : he added, however, that
he was determined to conquer him, and would not quit his patient
till morning. At the same time he acknowledged that the task
would be difficult, for he could clearly perceive that the woman
was wicked: he knew it (he said) by the breadth of her shoulders,
and the uncommon blackness of her large rolling eyes, which were
even larger and blacker than those of one of his own wives, whom he
knewto be a very sinful woman. In the morning it happened that
the poor girl was better, and the fame of the MarAbut was widely
diffused; but whether her recovery was owing to the holy man’s
exertions, or to a copious draught of medicine administered by
Mr. Campbell, we will leave to the decision of our readers.
During our stay at Mesurata, where we were detained several days,
in .consequence of the non-appearance of the Shekh’s promised
camels, we took the opportunity afforded by the delay, of visiting the
places .of most interest in the neighbourhood.
Bushaifa Bay had been stated by Captain Lautier to afford good
anchorage for shipping, and seemed in consequence to call for some
examination ; .but we must confess that it did not appear, upon inspection,
to deserve the character which that officer gives it. Of the
protection which may be afforded by breakers we cannot venture to
speak, Mesurata not boasting so much as a single boat, , but it is certain
that the land does not give the shelter required, as will be seen
by a reference to the chart. On the point of the bay, where is the
best landing-place, there has formerly been a fort, which is now entirely
destroyed. .
As we had arrived on the confines of the Gulf of the greater
Syrtis, the position of the promontory, which had been stated by the
ancients to form its western extremity, was a most important object
of inquiry. Between the town of Mesurata and the sea there is a
high range of sand-hills, rising far above the heads of the tallest
date-trees about them : and beyond these is a promontory of soft