TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
49 
under their burthens, and the alarm which their unsteady footing 
occasioned them added greatly to the distress of their situation. In 
the evening we pitched our tents in a valley about a mile from Mer- 
gip tower, where we met the English Consul on his return from an 
excursion to Lebida : he informed us of a report which was in cir- 
culation at that place, of a troop of marauding Arabs being in wait 
for our party two days south of Mesurata. This report was corro- 
borated by Shekh Mahommed el Dubbah, who seemed inclined to 
make it of some importance. 
We suspected, from the Shekh’s manner, that he had himself 
circulated this story to enhance the value of his protection ; and we 
were determined in consequence not to appear to believe it. As we 
did not however think it right to omit some precautions, in the 
event of the report proving after all to be true, we requested the 
Consul to mention it when he returned to the Bashaw ; who might 
then take whatever measures he should judge to be necessary on the 
occasion. 
H 
