impart some idea of the nature of the relations between the Barbary
coast and the interior, and to suggest the importance of the enterprise
on which I am engaged. Briefly, the exportation of slaves to Tripoli and
beyond, in spite of certain changes of route, is as rife as ever, and in
this respect everything remains to be done. But, on the other hand, the
trade which, I trust, is providentially intended to supersede this
inhuman traffic, is on the increase, though slightly. If we can pave the
way for the civilising steps of European commerce, either by treaties or
by personal influence, we shall have accomplished a great work. Let us
hope and pray that the necessary health, strength, and power of
persuasion be granted to us!




CHAPTER II.

Start from the Masheeah--Painful Parting--Chaouch's Tent--A Family
Quarrel--Wady Majeeneen--A Rainy Day--Moknee's Wives--Two mad
Fellows--Great Ascent of Gharian--Tedious Day's Work--The
Castle--View over the Country--Garrison--Troglodytes--Turkish
Tax-gathering--Quarrelsome Servants--Proceed over the lofty
Plain--Underground Villages--Kaleebah--The Batoum--Geology--A Slave
Caravan--Cheerful Blacks--Rows--Oasis of Mizdah--Double
Village--Intestine Discords--Interview with the Sheikh Omer--A Pocket
Province--A Dream of Good Omen--Quarrels on Quarrels--Character of
Fezzanees--A Leopard abroad.


The preliminary miseries of a great journey being at length over, I rose