STORY OF A DIVORCE. 
91 
quantity of ostrich feathers. The gum trade has 
lately been introduced into Fezzan by the British 
Consul, and one hundred can tars per annum are 
already collected from the tholukh-trees. 
The acting Governor of Fezzan always resides 
at Mourzuk. His principal coadjutors in the de- 
spatch of affairs are a Kady with two secretaries, a 
Sheikh or mayor of the city, some respectable men 
who act as privy councillors, the Wakeels of Ben- 
gazi, Augila, Sokna, kc. 
A little story may find its place here, as an apt 
illustration of the state of society and manners in 
this out-of-the-way capital. A married woman 
preferred another man to her husband, and frankly 
confessed that her affections had strayed. Her lord, 
instead of flying into a passion, and killing her on 
the spot, thought a moment, and said, — 
" I will consent to divorce you, if you will 
promise one thing." 
" What is that ? " inquired the delighted wife. 
" You must looloo to me only when I pass on 
the day of the celebration of your nuptials with the 
other man." 
Now it is the custom for women, under such 
circumstances, to looloo (that is, salute with a pe- 
culiar cry) any handsome male passer-by. How^ever, 
the woman promised, the divorce took place, and 
the lover was soon promoted into a second husband. 
On the day of the wedding, however, the man who 
had exacted the promise passed by the camel on 
