their entrance is low and narrow, and the two excavations are so
near, that the partition, as appears from a small perforation, is only
ten inches thick.
Quitting the subject of antiquities in the territory of Siwah, I
have only to add, that in the nearest plain west of the town, there
are other massive remains of some building, but which bear no.
token or note of remote antiquity, such as may be attributed to the
ruins I first described.
SECTION VI.
Departure from Siwah.— Journey to Scbiacha, and Danger which
the Traveller there incurred.
H a v in g remained eight days at Siwah; on the 29th of September,
at three in the afternoon, we broke up our encampment, and proceeded
a three hours march, when we again pitched our tents at
foot of a hill. The next day we began our journey late, being delayed
till one o’clock, in search of a slave.who belonged to a court-
officer of the Sultan of Fezzan, and who had absconded from the
caravan. Whilst the man was looking for, I set out with a view of
inspecting some catacombs which I descried on the neighbouring
hills, but was stopped at some distance by a lake of seven or eight
miles in circumference, formed at the base of the mountain by the
conflux of springs and small pools of water, which the rains at this
season had swollen and brought together. Returning to the camp,
I took my telescope to examine the appearances I was not enabled
dosely to inspect, when the first object on the mountain which presented
itself to my view was the Negro after whom the search was
making. I gave ho notice of my discovery, the poor fellow having
a good:character, and having been driven to the attempt of flight by
the extreme severity of his master. I am sorry to say there was
little hope of his final escape, the Siwahans having promised to
deliver him up. This day we travelled till half an hour after sunset.
The next day we marched at two hours before day-break, and
halted at nine. The fourth day brought us to the fruitful valley of
Scbiacha.