our departure, and Lizari having, though with some difficulty, obtained the Sultan’s permission to go to Tripoli, we took leave of our friends. JO U R N A L FROM MORZOUK TO T R IP O L I . Wednesday, Feb. 9th. Therm. 1°. 8CK below 0. , This morning we prepared to go, and at nine all was ready, and I went to take my farewell of the Sultan, who affected to shed tears, and to feel as much regret at parting with me as if I had been his own son. H e very injudiciously reminded me of Mr. Ritchie’s having asked him to cash my bill, declaring his readiness to have done so, and adding a great deal in favour of himself and his willingness to accommodate us on all occasions. For the credit of my deceased friend, I thought proper to contradict him; and without farther ceremony taxed him with telling me an untruth, which at once silenced him on this subject. He then confided to me his intention of going in a few months into Bornou, in which kingdom he proposed establishing himself as Sultan. He begged that I would soon return, to accompany him thither, and teach his people how to fire his three four-pounders. Of course I made him no promises on this head. On my rising to take leave, he said, “ Sayd, I hope you will come and see me again; for I have always been your friend, and was Yussuf’s also. I am convinced that you will tell this to your Sultan, and that I have done every thing you required of me.” I at once put a stop to these false assertions, by exclaiming, as before, that he did not speak truth; and waving my hand in token of farewell, took my departure, though certainly not without some apprehension that he would endeavour to detain me. These apprehensions naturally arose from an idea that my return might perhaps be arrested in the same manner as that of Hadge Osman, which will be better explained by the following anecdote. When Mukni first obtained possession of Fezzan, Hadge Osman, the principal Mamluke, had a severe dispute with him, which appeared to have been amicably settled, Mukni laying his hand on his heart, and professing much friendship, as he was in the habit of doing when most disposed to mischief. On leaving Mukni’s presence, however, the unfortunate Mamluke, with his two sons, was hurried to a dungeon, and immediately strangled ! That I should have been suffered to quit without interruption the territories of this treacherous man, was a subject of amazement to a ll; particularly as I had openly espoused the cause of Lizari, and it was known that he intended accompanying me to Tripoli. I succeeded, however, in reaching the house of Lizari, whence we rode away together. We were accompanied by some of the principal people as far as Dgleim, where we arrived at sunset, having journeyed east by north thirteen miles from Morzouk. My Kaffl6 consisted of Belford and myself, and eight loaded camels, four Arabs, our two Maherries, two sheep, and my horse. Lizari’s was composed of sixteen Khadems, or females, and three male slaves, his own Negress, four loaded camels, a Maherry, which he rode, and two Arabs. We were all in high spirits, our little party rejoicing at the idea of returning home, and Lizari at having escaped the malice of Mukni. Our friends remained with us all night, and we arranged together many plans of future meeting. February 10th. Thermometer 0°.—At 8.15. our kind friends took leave of us, Yussuf and old Hadge Mahmoud sobbing loudly, and Mohammed looking very gloomy. Poor little Barca, the boy whom Yussuf had lent us for so long a period, appeared quite inconsolable. I wished to have brought him away; but, to my great regret, his master would not sell him to me, though I offered my horse in exchange for him. I really felt much concern at parting
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