166 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. IV. 
Mukni was at this time even more courteous and civil than 
usual ; indeed so much so, that he overshot his mark, and con- 
firmed us in our determination to be prepared for him. One of 
his Eunuchs who came to ask for medicine for a woman of the 
castle who wanted to bear children, hinted to us, that Mukni was 
preparing for a sudden escape, and that much mischief m as appre- • 
hended before he turned his back on Morzouk. We could not be 
indifferent to this caution, and therefore lay all night with our 
pistols under our heads, and our other arms in readiness, con- 
ceiving we might soon be called upon to make use of them. 
In this state we continued for some days, Mr. Ritchie lying on 
one side of the large room, I on the other, and Belford in a small 
room adjoining. — One night, at about 12 o'clock, I was awakened 
by INIr. Kitchie's crying out in Arabic, " Who are you ?" " Lyon, 
there is a man on the house top." We all instantly started up ; 
and I, being the most active of our emaciated party, was pushed 
up to the roof, while Wr. Ritchie and Belford ran to our yard, to 
cut off the retreat of the intruder. I saw no one, however, and 
though I ran along the tops of some neighbouring houses, could 
make no discovery. Our old Mamluke was sleeping on the top of 
his house, and rose instantly with his gun in his hand, to assist in 
the search. Meanwhile we all sliouted to our neighbours, begging 
their assistance to look for any strangers who might endeavour to 
get on their terraces. In an instant all our friends were up, and 
on the look out ; but, after the strictest examination, no person 
could be found. 
Mr. Ritchie said, that as he was lying in bed, awake, he heard a 
shght noise overhead, when, in looking up, he saw a man stooping 
over our sky-light, or opening in the roof, as if for the purpose of 
examining into the room. After ascertaining where Mr. Ritchie 
slept, he knelt down, hanging his head as far over as he could, to 
