of the building; when the gates opened, and the four Englishmen only were called for, and we advanced to the skiffa (entrance). Here we were stopped most unceremoniously by the black guards in waiting, and were allowed, one by one only, to ascend a staircase; at the top of which we were again brought to a stand by crossed spears, and the open flat hand of a negro laid upon our breast. JBoo-Khaloom came from the inner chamber, and asked “ I f we were prepared to salute the sheikh as we did the bashaw ?” We replied “ Certainly which was merely an inclination of the head, and laying the right hand on the heart. He advised our laying our hands also on our heads, but we replied, “ the thing was impossible! we had but one manner of salutation for any body, except our own sovereign.” Another parley now took place, but in a minute or two he returned, and we were ushered into the presence of this Sheikh of Spears. We found him in a small dark room/sitting on a carpet, plainly dressed in a blue tobe of Soudan and a shawl turban. Two negroes were on each side of him, armed with pistols, and on his carpet lay a brace of these instruments. Fire-arms were hanging in different parts of the room, presents from the bashaw and Mustapha L’Achmar, the sultan of Fezzan, which are here considered as invaluable. His personal appearance was prepossessing, apparently not more than forty-five or forty-six, with an expressive countenance, and a benevolent smile. We delivered our letter from the bashaw; and after he had read it, he inquired “ what was our object in coming ?” We answered, “ to see the country merely, and to give an account of •its inhabitants, produce, and appearance; as our sultan was desirous of knowing every part of the globe.” His reply was, “ that we were welcome! and whatever he could show us would give him pleasure: that he had ordered huts to bp built for us in the town; and that we might then go, accompanied by one of his people, to see them; and that when we were recovered from the fatigue of our long K
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