CHAP. VI. 
RETURN OF THE GHRAZZIE. 
261 
noon we entered the town, and I rode ahead of the Sultan's son, to 
observe what would be his father's reception of him. I found 
Mukni sitting in the greatest agitation, pale, and alone in the 
Mezlis, or Court of his Castle, and scarcely able to welcome me. 
The crowd assembling, a lane was formed from the place where 
Aleiwa was to alight, to the great chair in which the Sultan sat. 
The boy dismounted, and, supported by his younger brother, ran 
and threw himself on his knees to kiss his father's hand. A general 
silence prevailed, when the father, overcome by his feelings, re- 
clined on the son's neck, and wept aloud. At that moment I 
felt that I could have forgiven him all his unkindness to Mr. 
liitchie and myself, and the numerous murders he had committed : 
had I not recollected that this favourite boy was returning with 
many poor children, whose existence was not less dear to their own 
parents than his was to j\Iukni. When the Sultan had become a 
little composed, and had re-assumed his look of dignity, a splendid 
Eornouse of cloth of gold was brought, and Aleiwa being stripped 
of that which he then wore, by some of the principal people, the 
new one was thrown over him, for which he knelt and kissed his 
father's hand. This, I find, is the customary present in all the Bar- 
bary states to generals returning victorious. The ceremony over, all 
the Arabs commenced kissing hands, and the Sultan then, having 
vouchsafed a smile on the crowd, entered the Castle, leaning on the 
shoulders of his two sons. 
January 19th. — All this day the Sultan was sitting outside the 
Castle gate, surrounded by Sheikh Barood and the Arabs, and 
buying of them, slaves and camels. 
The square near the Castle presented quite a novel appear- 
ance, being filled with above 1000 Maherries. The town was 
all alive, and formed a very amusing spectacle. oMerchants i\'om 
neighbouring countries, Tibboo, Tuarick, Arabs, and camels, were, 
