58 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. II. 
CHAPTER II. 
JOURNEY FROM TRIPOLI TO MORZOUK. 
Preparations for their departure, in company with Mohammed el Mukni — Encampment 
in the Mountains of Terhoona, and at the Wells of Melghra — Arrival at Benioleed 
— Interview with the Wife of the Sheikh, of the KafHe — Their Christian Friends 
return to Tripoli — Punishment of an Arab for Theft — Journey over the Desert — 
Remains of a Roman Castle — Continuation of the Journey, until their Arrival at 
Sockna — Entry into that City — Description of it — Manner of raising the Tribute 
Money — Accompany the Sultan's Son to Hoon and Wadan, to receive the Taxes 
— Account of those Places — Return to Sockna — Leave Sockna — Singular Custom 
imposed on Travellers in passing the Soudah Mountains — Arrival at Nufdai — 
Clear the Soudah Mountains — And travel over the gravelly Plain, through the 
Pass of Kenair, to the Well of Om el Abeed — Visit the Towns of Zeighan and 
Samnoo, famed for their Maraboots — Encamp at Temenhint — Arrival at Sebha, 
where the Black Population commences — Pass on to Ghroodwa — Entry to Mor- 
zouk, the Capital of Fezzan. 
On the 22d March, 1819, after repeated delays, every thing 
being at length in readiness for our departure, the camels, 
twenty-two in number, arrived, and carried our goods to the Desert 
beyond the Meshea, where Mr. Ritchie preferring to remain in 
the town, Belford, and myself, pitched our tent, in order to keep 
watch over the goods. Our Kaffle increased much this day ; many 
Negroes, who had obtained their freedom, and were returning 
to their native countries, fixed their little triangles of sticks, and a 
mat or carpet, close to us, whilst I amused myself in marking our 
