We were also accompanied from Zeghen by an old Arab, who appeared to have nothing to do with loading or unloading the camels, and who always prayed and slept apart from the Kafflé. I supposed him to be the father of some of the camel-men, and frequently gave him food, until I learnt that he was related to none of our companions, and that he had but one object in coming with us, which was to live upon us. He had a voracious appetite, and finding he could not obtain food at home without working for it, had been for many years in the habit of passing this desert with the Kafflés, on whom he quartered himself: his character was well known, yet the Arabs were unable to shake him off, fearing he would spread a report that they allowed him to starve, while they had plenty, which would have been a great reproach to them. At the well where I killed the camel, I gave him two days’ allowance, or about four pounds of food, which he devoured at once: he then dined with my drivers, and again with the Shreef Sadig’s men, and even managed to coax the hungry slaves out of part of their dinner. Having lost his teeth, he never chewed, but bolted his food, and was a complete glutton. Thursday, Feb. 24th. Therm. 4°.—The Sheikh of Sockna, who was on his way to congratulate the Sultan, met us here and gave me fifty dollars, with letters from the Consul, Dr. Dickson, and Mr. Carstensen, who were all well. He also informed us of the death of the Bashaw’s eldest Mulatto son Sidi Mourad, of a pestilential disorder, which, he said, was reported to be the plague. We dressed ourselves in our best clothes, and passed on, in company with Lizari, before the Kafflé, for the town of Sockna, to prepare houses. After proceeding for about two hours over a plain sprinkled with shrubs, we passed a sandy flat and date trees: at about two miles from the town, having traversed north-east nearly fourteen miles, arrived at the town of Sockna. Before we entered it above a hundred friends of Lizari, who was once acting, and is now nominal Kaid of Sockna, came out to welcome him; and I, as his friend, received every attention. We had good houses provided for us; and the Kafflé arrived soon after; but notwithstanding the respect shown us by some of the inhabitants, there were others who very much molested us; and the boys were, I think, the most impudent I ever met with, even in the most riotous and disorderly streets in London. Finding we were strangers in the country, they amused themselves with rushing by dozens into our room, to stare at, and to rob us, if they could. When their curiosity had ceased, their talents for tormenting commenced; and a good camel whip became at last my only resource against their impertinence. After I had succeeded in turning them out, they surrounded the door, all being ready for a run, and called out, “Bring the whip, bring the whip! d——n your father! here are plenty of boys peeping!” At last I was obliged to rush out upon them, and catching two of