CHAP. I. 
TRIPOLI. 
11 
two, during which I witnessed the most horrible and revolting 
scenes, I returned home, when, to my great amusement, I learnt 
that a rumour prevailed of my having been attacked and very ill 
treated; and that I had, in defending myself, stabbed a Mara- 
boot, and ran away, no one knew whither. I was happy to be 
enabled in person to contradict these reports, and to "prove that I 
had escaped not only unhurt, but unobserved. There were two 
parties who traversed the town ; but from their being of opposite 
sects, and at war with each other, it was so arranged that they 
should take different routes. 
That which I did not see was the superior one, and took its 
departure from under the walls of the castle. It was headed by a 
man named Mohammed, who had been much at our house, going 
on errands, and attending our horses. I did not, until afterwards, 
know he was so celebrated a character. Eefore the time of the 
procession he was confined in a dungeon, in consequence of his 
becoming very furious. When all was in readiness for the ceremony, 
the Bashaw took his station in the balcony overlooking the Arsenal, 
and this man was set at liberty, when he rushed on an ass, and 
with one thrust pushed his hand into the animal's side, from which 
he tore its bowels, and began to devour them. Many eat dogs, 
and other animals ; and on that day a little Jew boy was killed in 
th6 street, either by the Maraboots or their followers. 
As the power of taking up serpents and scorpions is supposed 
to constitute a Maraboot, I determined on acquiring that honorable 
title. Mr. Ritchie bought some snakes, which we all learnt to 
handle, and I soon found out an effectual way of taking up the " 
largest scorpions without the slightest chance of being stung. 
However, in order to observe the ceremonies practised by these 
pretended saints, I sent a servant in search of one of the most 
celebrated, under pretence of wishing myself to become a Maraboot. 
c 2 
