BENGAZI. 
307 
whole party retired very quietly to their houses, and nothing more 
was ever heard of the formidable invasion which had excited such 
alarm and confusion. In the mean time Signor Giacomo, who had 
been some time in our house, became anxious to relieve his family 
from the apprehensions which they could not but have entertained 
for his safety ; but his European dress being likely to attract atten- 
tion, and expose him to danger or insult, we offered our services to 
accompany him ; and on reaching his house in safety, he learnt that 
the Consul had been obhged to shut himself up w ith his family, and 
that they had been in the greatest alarm for him. Thus ended a 
panic which arose from the most trifling circumstance, threw the 
whole town into serious confusion, and threatened the lives of all the 
Christians in the place, without having the slightest foundation. 
It was singular to observe, during the whole of this affair, the total 
want of system and discipline which prevailed; each person hurrying 
he hardly knew where, because he saw others in motion, and leaving 
his home, with his family and property, at the mercy of any one 
who might invade it. A handful of men might have taken the 
whole town, which was left for several hours without any defence, 
and carried off their plunder beyond the reach of pursuit before the 
inhabitants knew they had been there. This was the only molesta- 
tion we ever met with from the people of Bengazi ; and, to do them 
justice, we must allow that it proceeded rather from their igno- 
rance and their fears, than from any decided hostility or ill-will 
towards ourselves. On all other occasions we found them civil and 
obliging, and usually inclined to be of service to us when they could. 
2 R 2 
