Thursday, March 2nd.—We left Sockna, and rested for the day at some palms and sand hills, called Hammam, جمّام, four miles north of the town, where we found our former fellow-travellers already lying with their Kafflés. I last night had one of the yellow rats brought me, much resembling those found in Morzouk, having a sandy red back, and white belly; I put it into the cage with the other, who killed and partly ate it before morning. The first is called Guntsha قنشا. Before we set off this day, our friend Abd el Rahman gave us a fine bowl of milk and dates. My camels were hired at the rate of two dollars the Kantār, the drivers feeding themselves: some of the animals carried six Kantār, and were very fine creatures, in excellent condition. I perceived here that my Maherry, which I had sent out while we were at Sockna to feed in company with the camels, had received some injury in his foot, and was again lame. None of the camel men would allow Sleema, the white woman who had escaped from Tripoli, to ride, even though I offered three dollars for her passage, their animals being too heavily laden. The poor creature was therefore, in despair, obliged to return to Sockna. I gave her all the money I could afford, which was three dollars, promising to mention her to the Consul, in case she came to Tripoli and took refuge under our flag. She was all gratitude, and went crying back again to the house of a woman she had known when at Tripoli, and who had maintained her while we were at Sockna. CHAPTER IX. Leave Sockna — Stop at Hammam — Well of Temedd — Sufferings of the Slaves — Arrive at Bonjem — Danger on the Desert — Zemzem — Sofageen — Storm in the Mountains — See two Roman Ruins — Arrive at Zleetun — Description of that Place — Leave Zleetun — Visit Lebida — Illness — Arrival at Tripoli — Account of the Negroes of the Kafflé — General Notices of the Desert — Belford’s bad State of Health — Departure from Tripoli — Pass Quarantine at Leghorn — Return over the Continent to England.