104 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. III. 
coffee were expended. IMohammed El Lizari (^^l&jjJb^;^ and Yussuf 
his brother were our two principal and real friends, and were the 
sons of a Mamluke long since dead. 
On Mukni's coming to this country, he reduced them from a state 
of affluence to complete poverty, leaving them their palms, the only 
possessions of which he could not deprive them. The friendship 
which these good men evinced for us was perfectly disinterested ; 
and when we were poor and nearly starving, they most humanely 
and considerately conferred on us many acts of real kindness. 
Mohammed, the elder brother, was obliged to prepare himself to go 
on the slave hunt, much against his inclination, and was appointed 
to take charge of the young Aleiwa. 
Old Hadje Mahmoud, whom I have before mentioned, was 
another of our friends, but rather less disinterested than the two 
former : he was credulous, superstitious, and rather time-serving ; 
but being our neighbour, did us now and then a good office. His 
kindness, however, certainly slackened after our poverty became but 
too apparent. 
Mohammed ben Abd Alia was, for a length of time, our most 
constant visitor. He was a Mamluke, born at Naples, and apos- 
tatised when about ten years old. He remained some time at 
Tripoh ; and, when about eighteen years of age, was sent by the 
Bashaw as a present to the former Sultan. He recollected but 
little of his native language ; was shrewd and lively, and was cer- 
tainly employed by the Sultan as a spy upon our actions. Having 
fully ascertained this circumstance, we employed many tricks to 
deceive him, in which we completely succeeded. One of his great 
points was, to discover for what reason we came so far into the 
country, and whether we really were very great men, as we were 
reported to be. 
