Chap. LXXXIII. EEDUCED STATE OF GU'mMEL. 375 
I had witnessed the pompous ceremonies of this petty 
court. All now presented an appearance of poverty 
and misery. The governor himself, a man of about 
thirty-five years of age, and with features void of 
expression, was dressed in a very shabby manner, 
wearing nothing but a black tobe, and having his 
head uncovered. There was, however, another man 
sitting by his side, whose exterior was more impos- 
ing ; but I soon recognised him as my old friend 
Mohammed e' Sfaksi, who had accompanied us on 
our outset from Murzuk, and who, from being an 
agent of Mr. Gagliuffi, had become, through suc- 
cessful trading and speculation, a wealthy merchant 
himself. He was now speculating upon the suc- 
cessful issue of an expedition of his protector against 
the town of Birmenawa, the inhabitants of which 
braved the authority of the governor. But for- 
tunately the debt which Mr. Richardson had con- 
tracted with him had at length been paid, and he 
expressed nothing but kindly feelings towards me, 
and congratulated me, as it appeared sincerely, upon 
my safe return from my dangerous undertaking, 
praising my courage and perseverance in the highest 
terms before his friend the governor. Presenting to 
the latter a small gift, consisting of a red cap and 
turban, together with a flask of rose-oil, I requested 
him to furnish me with a guide, in order to accom- 
pany me to the governor of Mashena. He con- 
sented to do so, although, perhaps, he never intended 
to perform his promise ; and I myself at the time had 
B B 4 
