nces in too abrupt a manner. In
some cases, indeed, to allude to it at all would be disastrous. The
promotion of legitimate traffic must, after all, be our great lever.

I do not profess in this place to do more than give a few hints on the
present state of trade in Tripoli, and the vast tract of half-desert
country on which it leans. What I have said is perhaps sufficient to
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
early on the morning of the 30th of March and started from the Masheeah,
a kind of suburb of Tripoli, distant in the country, at six. Hope and
the spirit of adventure sustained my courage; but it is always sad to
part with those we love, even at the call of duty. However, I at length
mustered strength to bid adieu to my wife--the almost silent adieu of
affection. How many things that were thought were left unsaid on either
side! It will be pleasant to fill up all blanks when we talk of these
days after a safe return from this arduous undertaking.

It was a fresh, cheerful morning, succeeding several days of sultry
weather--an auspicious com