the wild ones being generally so ragged and torn, that not above half a dozen good perfect ones can be found. The white feathers are what I allude to; the black, being shorter and more flexible, are generally good. All the camels belonging to these people are sent to the Syrtis, to pasture; a distance of about five days’ journey. It sometimes occurs, that after a great deal of rain has fallen, the plains beyond the Wadan mountains acquire sufficient verdure to feed the cattle for a few weeks. On this evening we had some juice of the palm-tree, called Lackbi, brought us, together with some milk; and the dancing women remained until midnight. The tribute was all paid at the evening prayer. April 16th.—Returned to Hoon, where we were received as before. It being Friday, we saw every one preparing to go to the assembly at the Mosque. Mr. Ritchie declined attending; but I was determined to make my debut, and to see how I could go through the necessary formalities. I therefore prepared myself, by endeavouring to appear quite unconcerned, and readily accompanied the Sultan’s chief followers, who seemed pleased at my joining them. There were about 200 people present, and additional prayers were recited in honour of the Sultan (Mukni) and his family. I found I acquitted myself very well, although one or two of the old people, as I thought, viewed me with an eye of suspicion, well aware that I had but very little knowledge of Arabic. The tribute-money was brought this day by the Sheikh, a great crowd attending him. A little boy who was amongst them made himself known to us, as having come in the same kafflé with us from Tripoli. We recollected, and made use of him to show us round the town, which he did readily, occasionally running before us, and calling to all the girls of his acquaintance, to come out and look at the new Mamlukes. This they did in crowds, and with their faces uncovered: some of them were rather pretty, and appeared to take pleasure in conversing with us, laughing much at the mistakes we made, in consequence of our slight knowledge of Arabic. The boy asked us many amusing questions about our future intentions, and was particularly anxious to know where we were going, and whether for the purpose of collecting slaves, as he suspected. We, of course, disclaimed any such intention, adding, that in our own country we looked on slavery with horror. At this he expressed great contempt of us, exclaiming, “D——n their fathers, the asses!” a common oath amongst these people, “what are they made for, but to serve us? go then and take them, for they are Kaffirs, and we cannot do without them.” I mention this as a specimen of all the Arabs, who believe most religiously, that the Negroes were only created for their service. The natives of Hoon are of the tribe Fateima فتيمه, and are of good character.