COMMUNICATIONS. 
55 
him to inflid on them the greateft indignity that Shereefs can 
endure, that of liaving duft heaped upon their heads. 
Imprefled with thefe apprehenfions, the Shereefs waited upon 
the Bafhaw, and offered to be refponfible with their Hves for 
the fafety of the Chriftian, 
In this unfavourable flate of Mr. Lucas's profpefts, an old 
man of the clafs of Maraboots (a name which is given to perfons 
of diftinguifhed fanSiitj) informed the Minifter, with whom he 
had been long acquainted, that he meant, in a few days, to take 
his departure for Fezzan ; and that as the Rebels, in confequence 
of the march of the Bafliaw's forces, had removed from that 
part of the country through which he intended to pafs, he would 
engage that, under his condu6t, Mr. Lucas fliould travel in 
fafety. 
With this propofal Mr. Lucas, by the advice of the Minifter^ 
and with the confent of the Balhaw, had determined to com- 
ply, though againft his own opinion, for the countenance and 
behaviour of the Maraboot had fuggefted fufpicions of his fin- 
cerity ; but while he was preparing for his departure, which was 
fixed for tlie Monday following, the Bafliaw, on further reflec- 
tionj 
