260 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. VI. 
January 17th. Therm. G^. — I set out as I had proposed, with 
the Mamhikes and a large body of Fezzanners, to meet their 
friends ; for which, on joining Aleiwa's people, I received many 
thanks and comphments : having only slei)t one night at my own 
house, I was not expected to leave it again so quickly. I here 
found my little patient, whom I mentioned before, quite recovered, 
and able, by his master's instruction, to thank me in a few words of 
Arabic. This little felloAv's patience, during illness, had so won on 
his master, a shoemaker of INIorzouk, that he had adopted him ; and 
intended, instead of selhng, to bring him up to his own trade, in 
which, if the boy succeeds, he is to make me a pair of boots on my 
return. We spent this afternoon in singing and eating, and every 
one assumed a new appearance : instead of the dirty ragged 
wretches whom I had last seen, they were transformed into a gay 
multitude, dressed in silks, scarlet, and embroidery ; their friends 
collecting for them such finery as would enable them to enter the 
capital with becoming dignity. IMany of the Arabs smelt most odo~ 
riferously of attar of roses, and affected to look as if they had been 
accustomed to it all their lives. 
The whole procession would have been very amusing, on the 
morning of the 18th, but for the multitude of poor dejected captives ; 
— their swelled and sore feet, and emaciated bodies, formed such 
a sad contrast to the finery and ostentation of the conquerors, that 
it not only completely checked all inclination to laugh, but gave 
rise to the most painful feelings. Six flags preceded the army with 
a large band of musicians, who formed a melodious concert, each 
disdaining time or tune, and playing such airs as their own taste 
dictated. On approaching Morzouk, the dancing women and bag- 
pipers came out, and added to the din ; and the Arabs, dividing 
as usual into two bodies, skirmished with very good effect. At 
