350 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. IX. 
inability to do justice to his friendship, evinced towards me not 
only in his official capacity, but individually, and on all occasions 
where he had the power of serving me. To some other most kind 
friends, who assisted me in the hour of need, I have also to offer 
my sincere tribute of thanks. 
Myself and suffering companion left Tripoli on the 19th of 
May ; and, after a passage of ten days, arrived at Leghorn. Beiford 
was again so ill, that I found it necessary to call in the assistance 
of a medical gentleman, who visited him frequently at the Laza- 
retto. Our quarantine was twenty-five days, in a good airy situa- 
tion ; on leaving which we removed to the town, prior to setting 
out overland for England. We hastened to change our dresses, 
and to shave our beards, though not before we had been unwill- 
ingly exhibited to many curious, and, in some cases, troublesome 
visitors, who came to view us in our Moorish costume. 
During the time of our quarantine the minister of Mohammed 
Ali, the Bashaw of Egypt, honoured me with a visit; and after 
asking me many questions, and ascertaining my knowledge of 
Arabic, made known to me that iiis master was about to send, on 
a progress of discovery, a large armed force, southward and west- 
ward from Egypt, and that he was particularly anxious to engage 
some European to accompany them, in order to survey the countries 
which they proposed exploring. He hinted, that on the event of 
my offering my services, I should, no doubt, be very flatteringly 
received, and that a most hberal allowance would be made for my 
outfit, as well as for my services ; and the month of November was 
the period fixed for the departure of the expedition : in short, he 
held out so many advantages, that I only refused on the score of 
my being in the service of my own government, who might, per- 
haps, again require me to return to Africa. From the plan thus 
laid down to me, I saw clearly, that on the event of my accompany- 
