I sold our small horse for twenty dollars, and hired camels to bring home our goods as far as Sockna at one mitgal (or at the rate of the exchange of gold, one dollar three-fourths), the kantar.

We had a japanned tea-tray, which was considered by far the finest thing ever seen in Morzouk. This I presented to Hadje Mahmoud for the improvement of his family. He had often extolled it highly, and whenever he brought any one to visit us, begged that his friend might be indulged with a sight of it. We at last discovered that he wanted it to show to his Negress, who was with child by him (to his great boast, as he was seventy-five years of age), that she might produce a handsome boy, all his family being horridly ugly, and, like their father, very short; and the lady being near her time, the gift was most thankfully received. I was promised a very handsome ewe and ram of the Soudan breed, which were to accompany me to England; and Aleiwa sent me, as a present, a very fine Maherry, which he had ridden himself from Borgoo. It was quite white, and very fleet and docile.

Drawn from Life by G. F. Lyon. On Stone by D. Dighton.

A Tuarick on his Maherrie.

London. Published by J. Murray Albemarle St. Feb.1.1821.
C. Hullmandel’s Lithography.

Hateeta, a Tuarick of the tribe of Benghrasāta at Ghraat, of whom I have before spoken, came to take leave of me. He now pressed me very much to promise him, that on my return to Africa, I would pass through his country, of which he is Chief, and take him with me to the Negro land, adding, that if I would bring him a sword like the one I wore, he should be perfectly content. He is the only Tuarick I ever saw, who was not an impudent beggar, or who made presents without expecting a return. He brought me some curious little cords, made of the hide of an antelope; and as a proof of attachment, gave me the dagger he wore on his wrist, and which was finished in a superior style: he gave me, besides, a saddle cloth for my Maherry, and instructed me how to mount it. I made him accept, in return, a pound of gunpowder; and we parted with mutual promises of being always friends. Yussuf’s mother made me a large quantity of dweeda, cusscussou, and tikkery, a cake made of dates, flour, and spices, and sent me some very fine dates for my friends in England. I spent my time, whenever I was free from the attacks of hemma, which generally confined me about four hours daily to my bed, in visiting the slave markets, and attending the merchants, with many of whom I was on very good terms; which led me to expect a good reception from them, in case, according to my promise, I should visit their native countries, on my return to Africa. Every thing being in readiness for our departure, and Lizari having, though with some difficulty, obtained the Sultan’s permission to go to Tripoli, we took leave of our friends.

journal from morzouk to tripoli.

Wednesday, Feb. 9th. Therm. 1°. 30′. 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. He 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 all; 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 Kafflé 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 Khādems, 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.