5? 
M^- LUCAS'S 
in time of peace, the rapacious tribes of Hooled Benfoliman and 
Benioleecl, who inhabit thofe hills, have often levied on travel- 
lers ; and in tlie next place, they have not only the advantage of 
fending their heavy merchandize to Mefurata by fea, but have 
alfo an opportunity of hiring there, at a much lower rate than 
at Tripoli, the camels for which they have occafion. 
On Sunday the firft of February, 1789, at half an hour after 
eight in the morning, the Shereefs, accompanied by Mr. Lucas^ 
took their departure from the fuburbs of Tripoli, where, in a 
garden which is fituated at the diftance of three miles from the 
o 
town, and which belonged to a Tripoline Merchant, who was 
travelling with them to Fezzan, they and their attendants had 
flept the evening before. 
The caravan was compofed of the Shereef Fouwad, and of 
three other Merchants, on horfeback, all of them well armed ; 
of the little old Shereef, who rode upon an afs ; of Mr. Lucas, 
who was mounted on the mule which the Bafhaw had given 
him; of Mr. Lucas's black fervant, well armed, upon a camel; 
of twelve Fezzaners on foot, but armed ; of three Negros and 
their wives, who had been flaves at Tripoli, but having obtained 
their freedom, were now travelling to Fezzan on their return to 
theii 
