4 
RECEPTION AT TRIPOLI. 
under the protection of Great Britain, and that their 
reports should be duly forwarded to the Foreign 
Office. 
Drs. Barth and Overvyeg, with European im- 
petuosity, eager at once to grapple with adventure 
and research, had pushed on whilst I waited for 
final instructions from Lord Paimerston. They had 
arrived at Tripoli about twelve days before me, 
and, as I afterwards learned, had usefully and 
pleasantly occupied their time in excursions to the 
neighbouring mountains, which I had previously 
visited and examined on my way to Ghadamez. 
We learned on landing, that a good deal of the 
anxiety I had felt on account of my slow progress 
from England had been thrown away. Our arms, 
instruments, and stores, had not yet arrived from 
Malta. However, they w^ere projnised for an early 
date, and the hospitable reception afforded us by 
Mr. Consul-general Crowe, as well as the know- 
ledge that a vast number of small details of prepar- 
ation could be immediately commenced, contributed 
to console us. 
Among the things expected, and w^hich arrived 
in due time, was a boat built by order of the 
Government in Malta dockyard. It was sent m 
two sides, and I wished to carry it in that state „ 
But this proved impossible, and just before starting 
we were compelled to savv^ each side into two pieces, 
which were to be carried slung in nets upon a 
