sequence was, that a strong fever confined us both to our beds, at the mercy of any one who chose to pillage us. We lay ten days in this state; our little girl was our principal nurse, and was very humane and careful.”
Lieutenant Lyons[errata 1] now found himself under the absolute necessity of returning home to receive instructions for his further proceedings; for, although money might have been procured at Tripoli, much time must have elapsed before he could have received it; and he had[errata 2] no one whom in his absence he could have left in charge of the goods at Mourzouk, Belford being too sick and helpless either to keep guard over them, or to remain alone in that place. Added to this, 1000l. was a sum by no means sufficient to carry him through Africa; as it would be requisite to purchase merchandize totally different from that which had already been provided, and without which he could not have made his way. Belford, from his weak state, could not accompany him far, and to proceed alone would have been actual madness, until the necessary arrangements for his future operations, and regulations as to pecuniary matters, had been fully made and understood. Under all these circumstances, therefore, and to his great regret, he could only resolve on a short journey into the interior, proceeding in the first place to Zucla, the principal town east of Mourzouk, in lat. 20° 11' 48" N. and from thence passing the desert to Gatrone and Tegerry, at which latter place (the southern limit of Fezzan) situated in lat. 24° 4' he arrived on the 2d of January, 1820. During his progress thither, he was more than once severely attacked with hemma, and suffered much in the spleen and liver. On the 8th of March, he repassed the northern boundary of the kingdom of Fezzan, and on the 21st, reached the ruins of Leptis Magna, the exploration of which ancient city had been successfully undertaken by Captain William Henry Smyth, R.N., in the year 1816.
Shortly after Mr. Lyon’s return to Tripoli, a dangerous fever broke out and made great ravages, many of the inhabitants dying daily in the town and suburbs. He remained there until the 19th of May, then sailed for Leghorn (where he
Errata:
