76 
MR- LUCAS'S 
on which the cattle were feecUng was confidered as under the im- 
mediate protection of a departed Saint, whofe remains were bu- 
ried there, and whofe fanftuary, it was thought, no MuffehTian,' 
however accuftomed to robbery and blood, could venture to pro- 
fane, 
March 1 3 th. Letters by exprefs from the camp were now- 
received by the Governor, which announced, that in confequence 
of the Bey's having entered the country of the Rebels, and turned' 
his cattle to pafture in their corn, an engagement, which foon 
became general, had enfued ; that after a lofs of 150 men, the. 
Rebels had retired to the mountains ; and that the Bey, at the 
expence in killed and wounded, of not more than twenty-fix 
horfe and feventy or eighty foot, had obtained pofTeflion of ten; 
or twelve thoufand Iheep, and of three hundred camels. 
Mr. Lucas congratulated the Governor on the vidory, wha 
thanked him; but " I fear," faid he, fhakinghis head, " that 
the news requires confirmation. There W(7S a time, indeed, 
when the people of Tripoli knew how to conquer, and the Arabs 
trembled at the fight of an encampment." 
March 1 5 th. On the next day but one, accounts were brought 
by 
