their gladness, however, soon received alloy, for the officers of the
Sultan met us to take account of the bales and merchandize, which
had not being usually done till arrival at the gates of Mourzouk;
and the merchants had been in the habit of previously disposing of
at least a third of their goods, in order to evade the duties. Some
however, had contrived to intermingle their baggage with that of
the pilgrims, who pay no duties. Rather out of humour with what
had passed, our traders of the caravan agreed With a proposal of
the Sheik to make a forced march to Tragen, where we arrived at
sunset.
At this place we reposed the whole of the ensuing day, employed
in preparation for honourable appearance before the Sultan, who
usually rides out to meet the caravan, in pious respect to the pilgrims
returning from Mecca. The Sultan sent forward some camels
laden with meat and bread, which were here distributed. The next
morning we proceeded, and after eight hours march, pitched our
camp near to the chapel and tomb of Sidibischir, a holy man of
great renown in ancient times, and from whom the village near is
likewise named Sidibischir. The following day was to be that of
our interview with the Sultan. On that day, the 17th of November,
we finished our long and perilous journey, arriving, after a three
hours march, in the immediate vicinities of Mourzouk.
The Sultan had posted himself on a rising ground, attended by
a numerous court, and a multitude of his subjects.
Our caravan halted, and every person of the caravan, of any
importance, dismounted to salute him. 'With others I approached,
and found the sultan seated on an old-fashioned elbow chair, covered
with a cloth striped red and green, and placed at extremity of an
oval area, round which soldiers were drawn up, of but mean appearance.
The sultan himself wore the Tripolitan vest, and over it a
shirt or frock, embroidered with silver, in the Soudan manner.
Close to him, on each side, were white Mamelukes and Negro slaves,
with drawn sabres ; behind these were six banners, and black and
half-naked slaves, holding lances and halberds, of a fashion as old
perhaps, as the times of Saladin. We entered the circle by an opening
left facing the sultan, and about the middle of the area: according
to the ceremonial of his court, we pulled off our slippers, and
approached barefoot to kiss his impérial hand. Each having paid
his compliment, alternately passed to right or left, and seated himself
behind the sultan : the merchants being thus ranged in two
equal groups on either side the throne ; lastly entered the Sheik of
the pilgrims, with his sabre drawn, and kettle-drum, and green flag
of Mecca borne before him. The pilgrims followed, chaunting
praises to God, who .had so far conducted them in safety; and continued
their hymns until the Sultan was pleased to dismiss their
leader, with a gracious promise of sending his royal present of dates
and meat to every tent. This ceremony of audience being over,
the Sultan remounted his horse and rode back to the city of
Mourzouk, preceded by kettle-drums and banners, and amidst his
lance-men and halberdiers ; whilst his courtiers, joined by the
Arabs of our caravan, pranced and curvetted their horses on each
flank of the procession.