56 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. I. 
few months after, coming from Fezzan, in company with a large 
kaffl6 of merchants, bringing slaves, when, in a part of the moun- 
tains, in which they conceived there was no chance of encounter- 
ing these people, they, to their great dismay, were seized and 
conducted to the chief, in full conviction that they should be 
murdered, and their slaves and goods distributed amongst the 
captors ; when, fortunately, one of the party stepped forward, and 
suddenly recognised his deliverer. The scene was immediately 
changed : eighteen sheep, as many goats, and some cows were 
killed, and the whole kaffle feasted for three days ; their goods and 
their slaves were returned to them, and they were suffered to 
depart. , 
On our return to Tripoli, we understood that it was not the 
intention of the Bashaw to send, as he at first had given out, a 
force with Mukni, into the interior. The latter was to be attended 
only by his own followers ; and we were desired to hold ourselves 
in readiness to accompany him in a few days. In consequence of 
this, Mr. Ritchie caused a variety of food, appropriate for a journey 
on the Desert, to be provided. He bought Gerbas, or water skins ; 
and in fact, made every necessary preparation. Owing to the low- 
ness of his funds, he wrote to Lord Bathurst, sohciting a further 
supply ; and I drew money, on my own account, which I gave him 
for our general use. For some articles which Mr. Ritchie procured 
for Mukni, from Malta, he became our debtor to the amount of 
300 dollars, which were to be paid us on his arrival in Fezzan. 
On this small sum, and not knowing when or how we were to pro- 
cure more, was our journey to be undertaken. Our camels were 
