CHAP. IV. 
MORZOUK. 
181 
angle of at least twenty-five degrees with the ground. The Sultan's 
head would consequently be about a foot lower than his feet ; but 
as he intended at any rate sitting with his face to the horse, he 
thought nothing of this inconvenience. 
His ]\lajesty indulged himself with many rides in the space 
near the Castle, and in one instance through the town, the coach 
being drawn by slaves. He, however, at last determined to venture 
a ride into the country with the horse to draw him. The animal 
being put into the vehicle, and led slowly tlirough one little gate 
to where Mukni stood, made an attempt to run through another to 
his stable ; the man who led him being frightened, suffered him to 
set off at full speed. The gate brought him up, one of the wheels 
knocking down the gate-post and part of the wall, but the carriage 
itself remained undamaged. This proof of its great strength quite 
charmed every one, and it was at last decided that a large saddle 
should be put on the horse, and that Baba Ismael, the Turkisli 
cannoneer, should ride him, and direct the whole machine. Mukni, 
by way of showing his approbation of Belford's talents, gave him 
seven dollars, which he brought home to us in triumph, and which 
really saved us when on the very brink of starvation. This piece 
of good luck was soon followed by another, for within a day or two 
afterwards I managed to sell a saddle for eight dollars to a Tibboo. 
Mr. Eitchie again got a little better by the middle of the month, 
but continued so very silent and low spirited, that we feared he 
would soon relapse. 
Some Kaffles of the Tibboo now came in with slaves, and our 
horses having got a httle more into condition, owing to the great 
cheapness of the dates at harvest time, we made many attempts to 
sell them. From my having sent a bill to the Consul, we soon ex- 
pected money, and ]\Ir. Kit ^ie empowered me, iii the meantime, 
to dispose of one of our horses. Accordingly, after a good deal 
