€HAP. I. TRIPOLI. 3 
fjjj'-o the capital of Fezzan ^jfjh with the Sultan of that country, 
his motions were to be regulated by the departure of this person, 
who, as we learned, was about to take with him a large body of 
men, for the purpose of waging war on the inhabitants of Waday, 
(^\c^\j (the Borgoo of Brown) which is to the southward and 
eastward of Fezzan ; but as the people of Tripoli were by no means 
alert in coming forward, and as the Bashaw did not appear much 
inclined to compel them, no just idea could be formed as to the 
probable time of our setting off. 
Mohammed el Mukni ^JlX^J I Ov-^js^^ who at Tripoli is called the 
Bey of Fezzan, (but who takes the title of sultan on entering his 
own territories), is a man of about fifty years of age, of a fine 
martial appearance, and of great personal strength ; but withal of an 
insatiable ambition and excessive avarice. He was one of the chief 
supporters and friends of the Bashaw during the reign of his father, 
and was afterwards of considerable assistance to him in quelling 
the disturbances Vv^hicli took place on his usurping the throne. 
Mukni was at this time in great favour, and considered as a person 
of much consequence. After his father's death he became Bey ei 
Noba, or collector of the Bashaw's tribute from the Sultan of Fezzan, 
and went thither annually to receive it. Though the tribute v/as 
trifling, the office of Bey el ISToba was held of great importance. It 
was while acting in this capacity that Horneman accompanied him 
to Fezzan. Mukni's frequent visits to that country gave him op- 
portunities of ascertaining that the sum paid as the tribute was 
but a very small part of the immense gains of the reigning Sultan ; 
and having once determined on getting the kingdom into his own 
hands, he soon found means to influence the Bashaw to permit his 
removing the reigning family, under pretence that such a change 
would be for the Bashaw's sole emolument. In 1811, therefore, he 
B g 
