122 
JOURNEY FROM 
by Strabo; and where that part of the low ground, which could, at any 
time, be covered with water, is too narrow to interfere with the gene- 
ral character of the geographer’s lake. Sooleb has the advantage of 
some tolerable pasturage, and is in consequence occupied by flocks of 
sheep and goats, the property of several Arab Shekhs, and which 
are chiefly tended by negro slaves, who dwell in scattered tents with 
the animals confided to their charge. The sight of a little vegetation 
was by no means unwelcome to us after the dismal prospect afforded 
by the barren flats we had just passed ; and the dreary uncultivated 
wilds of Sooleb assumed, by comparison, some appearance of interest, 
to which Sahsbury plain or Newmarket heath might perhaps be 
more justly entitled ; and which a draught or two of milk, that we 
were able to procure there, may probably have in some degree contri- 
buted to heighten. This refreshment was here more peculiarly wel- 
come, as the water of Sooleb is too bitter, brackish, and stinking, to 
be drank without the greatest disgust : the purchase of a lamb, also, 
added meat to our board, which we had not tasted since we left Me- 
surata. In addition to these luxuries, we received a present from 
Shekh Mahommed, of a bowl of cuscusu, and another of bazeen ; 
and his liberahty was equally extended to the whole of our party. 
We were at a loss, when the smoking dishes were ushered into our 
tent, escorted by no less a person than the Dhbbah himself, to con- 
jecture what could possibly have occurred to occasion this display of 
Arab munificence ; but we soon learnt that Sooleb was the northern 
limit of the district of Syrt, and that we had entered the territory 
over which the Dhbbah presided; who had in consequence taken these 
