shoals beginning to shew themselves distinctly, we were desirous of
remaining a day at Jereed, in order to mark their direction more
minutely in the chart, particularly as it appeared, from the erection
of the post above mentioned, that Captain Smyth had left the coast;
but we found upon inquiry, that our horses would in this event be four
days without drinking, and we were consequently obliged to proceed.
We continued our route along the base of a low ridge of hills, at the
back of which we observed a continuation of the great marsh, which
was here very considerably narrowed; and arrived in the evening at
Mahad Hassan, a little oasis which rises from the bed of the marsh,
and consists of a few hills partially covered with pasturage. In the
valleys between these we observed some wild olive-trees, and many
remains of buildings were scattered over the ground in all directions*.
Mahad .Hassan is the first place after the long tract of
marshy land which has any appearance of an ancient site. Its
remains consist of a number of small quadrangular buildings, similar
to the fortresses observable at the different stations all the way from
this point to Derna. They are in a very dilapidated state, and it is
difficult to say for what purpose they were intended. They seem
to be too numerous and too close together to have been forts, though
their form very closely resembles them; and they are by no means
well calculated for dwelling-houses, unless we suppose if to have been
necessary that every family should have its castle, unconnected with
that of its neighbour, in which it was regularly intrenched. These
* Edrisi has mentioned a tower called Hassan, which he places at four days’ journey
from the western point of the Syrtis—and Mahad Hassan is four days’ journey from
Mesurata, at the rate of between thirteen and fourteen geographical miles per day.
little structures occupy the plains as well as the rising ground, and
are in general from fifty to seventy and a hundred feet square; their
height cannot now be ascertained, even from a computation of the
quantity of rubbish with which each is surrounded, for the Arabs
remove the stones to different places in the neighbourhood to built
the rude tombs of their Mar4buts and relations; many of which are
raised on the site of the buildings themselves, , and might sometimes
be confounded with the original plan. Shrubs and bushes have
overgrown the greater part of these ruins, and rooted themselves
firmly in the masses of fallen stones, frequently at the height of
twelve and fifteen feet from the ground. None of them are at present
more than rude heaps of shattered stones, and the eye in passing
over the spot would scarcely detect any regular plan, which is only
indeed observable on attentive examination. Among the buildings
may be seen a few wells, in one of which we had been told we should
probably find a lit'tle sweet water, a luxury we had not enjoyed since
we left Ar&r, as the water in the marshy ground is both salt and
stinking. We were rather disappointed, however, on reaching it, to
find that we had been anticipated by our Arab escort, who had rode
on before on pretence of reconnoitring the country, and of endeavouring
to procure some provision. I t was evident at the same time,
by the print of their horses’ hoofs, that they had not been contented
with allaying their own thirst, but had satisfied also that of their
horses, till the last drop of water was expended- At Mahad Hassan
we found an Arab tent, and managed to procure a little milk from
an old woman who dwelt in it with her two sons. These people were