£9$ THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION* 
ter the object of his journey to Fezzan, which, hu 
said, no Christian had ever attempted. Mr Lucas 
replied, that it was for the p urpose of examining 
various Roman antiquities, which he had heard ex- 
isted in numerous parts of (hat kingdom, and col- 
lecting medicinal plants not found in Europe ; the 
Bey appeared to be satisfied with this answer, and 
promised him his assistance in his journey. Soon 
after this, Mr Lucas learned, that certain tribes of 
tributary Arabs had revolted, and ravaged the fron- 
tiers of Tripoli ; and that the Bashaw was levying 
an army to reduce them, as soon as the grass 
should be high enough to afford sufficient forage 
for cattle. While Mr Lucas waited, in order to 
accompany this army, two Shereefs, or descendants 
from the Prophet, arrived from Fezzan with slaves, 
senna, and other articles of merchandize. As their 
descent from Mahomet secured their persons from 
violence, and their property from plunder, they 
did not find it necessary to wait the restoration of 
peace ; but prepared immediately for their return, 
. and offered to take Mr Lucas under their protec- 
tion. Fouwad, one of these, was about 35 years 
of age, son-in-law to the king ; the other was an 
elderly man, named Imhammed. The Bashaw 
being informed of this proposal, expressed his ap- 
probation of it, and presented Mr Lucas with a 
handsome mule for his journey, while the Bey, his 
son, presented him with a tent, and gave him a 
