AFRICAN EXPLORERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 113 
future travelling companions at Tripoli on the 21st 
November, 1821. The English at this time enjoyed 
very great prestige, not only in the States of Barbary, 
on account of the bombardment of Algiers, but also 
because the British consul at Tripoli had by his clever 
diplomacy established friendly relations with the govern¬ 
ment to which he was accredited. 
This prestige extended beyond the narrow range of 
the northern states. The nationality of certain travellers, 
the protection accorded by England to the Porte, the 
British victories in India had all been vaguely rumoured 
even in the heart of Africa, and the name of Englishman 
was familiar without any particular meaning being 
attached to it. According to the English consul, the 
A VIEW IN FEZZAN. 
route from Tripoli to Bornou was as safe as that from 
London to Edinburgh. This was, therefore, the moment 
to seize opportunities which might not occur again. 
The three travellers, after a cordial reception from the 
bey, who placed all his resources at their disposal, lost no 
time in leaving Tripoli, and with an escort provided by 
the Moorish governor, they reached Murzuk, the capital 
of Fezzan, on the 8tli April, 1822, without difficulty, 
having indeed been received with great enthusiasm in 
some of the places through which they passed. 
At Sokna, Denham tells us, the governor came out 
to meet them, accompanied by the principal inhabitants 
and hundreds of the country people, who crowded round 
their horses, kissing their hands with every appearance 
of cordiality and delight, and shouting Inglesi, Inglesi / 
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