TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
133 
little structures occupy the plains as well as the rising ground, and 
are in general from fifty to seventy and a hundred feet square; their 
height cannot now be ascertained, even from a computation of the 
quantity of rubbish with which each is surrounded, for the Arabs 
remove the stones to different places in the neighbourhood to built 
the rude tombs of their Mar^buts and relations ; many of which are 
raised on the site of the buildings themselves, and might sometimes 
be confounded with the original plan. Shrubs and bushes have 
overgrown the greater part of these ruins, and rooted themselves 
firmly in the masses of fallen stones, frequently at the height of 
twelve and fifteen feet from the ground. None of them are at pre- 
sent more than rude heaps of shattered stones, and the eye in passing 
over the spot would scarcely detect any regular plan, which is only 
indeed observable on attentive examination. Among the buildings 
may be seen a few wells, in one of which we had been told we should 
probably find a httle sweet water, a luxury we had not enjoyed since 
we left Ar4r, as the water in the marshy ground is both salt and 
stinking. We were rather disappointed, however, on reaching it, to 
find that we had been anticipated by our Arab escort, who had rode 
on before on pretence of reconnoitring the country, and of endea- 
vouring to procure some provision. It was evident at the same time, 
by the print of their horses’ hoofs, that they had not been contented 
with allaying their own thirst, but had satisfied also that of their 
horses, till the last drop of water was expended. At Mahad Hassan 
we found an Arab tent, and managed to procure a little milk from 
an old woman who dwelt in it with her two sons. These people were 
