4 TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. CHAP. I. 
took a body of men by the Gharian mountains, and succeeded in 
reaching Mourzouk undiscovered. The detail of his proceedings 
would be wholly uninteresting ; suffice it to say, that his ambitious 
views were fully accomplished. He caused the Sultan and his 
brother to be strangled, as well as the principal Mamluke and his 
two eldest sons ; and pretending that it was unsafe to leave Mour- 
zouk immediately after these acts of cruelty and injustice, he had 
the address to persuade the Bashaw to appoint him his viceroy, 
promising to increase the tribute to 15,000 dollars annually, whereas 
that of the former Sultan did not exceed 5000. Having thus 
established himself, he waged war on all his defenceless neighbours, 
and annually carried off 4000 or 5000 slaves. From one of these 
slave-hunts into Kanem he had just returned to Tripoli, with a 
numerous body of captives and many camels, and was, in consequence, 
in the highest favour with the Bashaw. 
I learnt on my arrival that Mr. Bitchie had several times had 
interviews with the Bashaw, to whom he made many valuable 
presents ; and that His Highness was fully informed of his proposed 
journey and plans respecting the interior. Though Mr. Bitchie 
himself never communicated with me on this subject, or made 
known what occurred at these interviews, I have every reason to 
conclude they were favourable to the object he had in view, and 
that the protection of the Bashaw, as far as his power extended, was 
fully ensured to the mission. The Sultan of Fezzan also on his side 
made the most flattering promises of protection ; declaring that he 
only awaited the opportunity of showing his good will, and that, 
when arrived in his own dominions, he would act towards Mr. 
Bitchie as a brother, and assist him in all things to the utmost 
of his power. After my own introduction to Mukni, I frequently 
heard him repeat these expressions of regard towards Mr. Bitchie, 
