86 
JOURNEY FROM 
To return to our subject, we may remark, in conclusion, that a 
very considerable part of the population of Zellten are Jews; and we 
were informed that the manufactures of the place are chiefly in the 
hands of these people : we found them uniformly civil, obliging, and 
industrious, and though much persecuted by the Mahometan inha- 
bitants, they appear to support their ill fortune contentedly. 
On the morning of the 1 8th we left Zehten, and entered imme- 
diately upon an extensive plain, for the most part overrun with 
squills and brushwood. Two roads cross this plain, one to Mesu- 
that this species of blockade is not i^lways sure to be effectual. Some Arabs of the Zoasi 
tribe, who had escaped from Bey Hamed after the massacre of their companions in the 
castle, took refuge in the tomb of a celebrated Marabut, situated in the vicinity of the 
town. The Bey could not venture to force the sanctuary which they had reached, but 
took every means in his power to prevent their escape, or their communication with 
any person without. He had closely blockaded the tomb with his troops ; and flattered 
himself that they must shortly perish with hunger, or be reduced to the necessity of 
surrendering themselves to the soldiers. In either case the object of the Bey would have 
been accomplished, and he confidently waited the result ; while the anxiety of the people 
and neighbourhood of Bengazi, who pitied the unfortunate fugitives, was raised to the 
highest pitch. Every one was expecting some horrid catastrophe, for the destruction of 
the prisoners, by famine or the sword, appeared to be now inevitable ; when the timely 
interference of the departed Marabut was miraculously exerted in their favour. On 
t he third day after their arrival at the sanctuary, to the astonishment of the assembled 
spectators, a stream of water was seen to issue from the tomb, and the ground all about 
it was observed to be strewed with dates and other articles of food for the refugees ! ! ! 
It was clear that no other than the Marabut himself could have afibrded this provi- 
dential supply — (X6701U.EV Sg ra. Xsynm ccuroi Ai^vsr, we tell the tale as it was told to us) — 
for the place had been watched day and niglit by the troops, who had been carefully 
and regularly relieved ; and every Arab of Bengazi and the adjacent country can still 
testify the fact as it is stated ! 
The same story may be found in the work of Dr. Della Celia, who informs us that the 
miracle look place dui-ing his residence at Bengazi. 
