MERGE TO GYRENE. 
571 
which Boo-Bukra had conducted us on our former journey. We had 
observed, that in addition to his musket and pistols, the usual arms 
of an Arab, he always carried a short carbine slung over his shoulder, 
which he never took off on any occasion ; but were not at all aware of 
the difficulty of his situation, till we heard of the fact just mentioned. 
The change of route made a difference of two days to us, as nearly as 
we can recollect ; but we do not regret the circumstance, since it 
enabled us to see a part of the country which we should not otherwise 
have had an opportunity of visiting. From Margad we proceeded 
to Bograta by the road which we had formerly taken, and from thence 
to Merge, where we found Bey Halil, for he had not been able to 
collect all his tribute. From Merge we descended to Ptolemeta, and 
joined Captain Beechey, who had arrived there the day before from 
Teuchira, having left Mr. Coffin at Bengazi, to make the necessary 
arrangements for our embarkation. We had arranged this meeting 
in order to complete the plans of both these places, which had been 
left somewhat unfinished in our eagerness to visit Cyrene. Three 
days were spent at Ptolemeta, and we then continued our journey 
to Teuchira, where we had no occasion to remain more than a single 
day, after which we proceeded to Bengazi *. 
On the 25th of July we had completed all our arrangements, and 
embarked the same afternoon for Malta. 
* We have not been able to publish on this occasion (as we believe we have already 
stated) more than a limited number of plates ; so that several to which we have referred 
have been unavoidably omitted. Some of the drawings, however, will appear in another 
publication, with others made in Egypt and Nubia ; and in that we shall hope to find 
means of introducing the greater part of what has been omitted. 
