TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
95 
our tent-cords. The old Ddbbah looked round to enjoy the applause 
which he felt he had deserved, for his horsemanship and his mare, 
from the crowd who had witnessed the exhibition ; and the two 
Shekhs alighted and entered the tent, each apparently well pleased 
with himself. 
Within they found everything arranged for their reception : the 
dusty ground had been previously adorned with a mat, over which 
had been spread some small carpets ; and we had taken care to have 
coffee and sherbet in readiness, which were served up as soon as they 
were seated. Shekh Belcazi was introduced to our acquaintance by 
the Dhbbah, who took care at the same time to inform us of his rank 
and importance ; accompanying his harangue with a profusion of 
fulsome Arab compliments, which were received by Belcdzi as a 
matter of course, and appreciated by us as they deserved. As soon 
as the usual salutations were over, and the coffee and lemonade had 
been disposed of (though not before Belckzi had satisfied his curio- 
sity with regard to the several uses of every object in the tent), we 
began to make arrangements for the number of camels which would 
be necessary for our journey across the Syrtis. The Shekh of Mesu- 
rata undertook to provide them, and freely offered his assistance in 
any other way in which it might be serviceable to our party. 
The camels could not be procured on the moment, but it was 
settled that Belcdzi should let us know the next morning how soon 
he would be able to collect them. The Dhbbah, in his turn, now 
began to expatiate upon the attention which he would shew us when 
we reached the district of Syrt, over which he presided as Shekh ; 
