THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 301 
where fragments of a temple, and several trium- 
phal arches, still remain, and where the soil of the 
adjacent district exhibits the most luxuriant vege- 
tation. On the fifth day, as they approached Me- 
surata, they were alarmed by an account of the de- 
predations of the tribe Hooled Ben Soliman, and 
soon after fell in with a party of Arabs, whom they 
imagined to be enemies, and resolved to attack. 
The Shereef Fouwad, with the horse, led the van, 
and the foot followed in a confused crowd, like a 
flock of frighted sheep, dancing, shouting, twirling 
their muskets over their heads, and jumping round 
each other like madmen, till they approached within 
shot of their antagonists, when each man squatted 
behind a bush, to shelter himself, and take the surer 
aim. But while they were levelling their mus- 
kets, they were recognised by the Arabs for friends ; 
and the caravan proceeding, they arrived in the 
evening at Mesurata. The governor of Mesura- 
ta, who had resided for some time in Italy, re- 
ceived Mr Lucas with much politeness, but found 
it impossible to assist him in prosecuting his jour- 
ney, as camels could not be hired from the rebel 
tribes of Arabs. After some attempts to procure 
these, which were always unsuccessful, the Shereef 
Fouwad retired to Wadan, his native town, and the 
Shereef Imhammed, to his friends among the 
mountains, to wait till their journey should be 
practicable \ while Mr Lucas returned about the 
