e than a quarter of an hour longer." Whilst
we were waiting for His Majesty's Consul, who, I need not hint, was an
Irishman, an animal made its appearance which the boat's crew declared was
a woman. It was clad in a coarse, light brown wrapping gown almost in the
shape of a sack with the mouth downwards, with two small holes in the
upper part for the eyes. As soon as it came near the boats it was driven
away by the Moors. At length Mr. Murphy made his appearance with the
requisite piece of paper and eight bottles of otto of roses, for which he
did not forget to ask a good price. He informed me that bullocks would be
sent off to the squadron next morning. We repaired on board, when my
captain asked me if the Bey had sent me a sabre. "No," replied I, "I have
received nothing." "Then," said he, "he is worse than a Turk; he ought to
have given you one."

The day after we received twelve bullocks not much larger in size than an
English calf, and I, with one of my messmates, went on shore outside the
town. The soil we found very sandy. I took out my sketch book, and had
drawn the outline of the batteries, when an armed Arab rode up to us at
full gallop on a beautiful, small, dark chestnut horse. My messmate wore a
highly polished steel-hilted hanger, the brightness of which, as it
glittered in the sun's rays, attracted the Arab's attention. He spoke
broken English, and asked to look at it. "Yes," said my companion, "if you
will let me look at yours." He took it from his side without hesitation
and presented it to him. The Arab admired the workmanship of the English
sword, and then examined the blade. We had inspected his, and found it
fine Damascus steel. "Will you exchange," said my messmate. He made a most
contemptuous grimace at the question. "I tell you what," said he, "English
very good for handle, but Arab better for blade." He then put spurs to his
horse and galloped away, chuckling the whole time.

As we had not permission to enter the gates of the town we amused
ourselves by examining the houses outside, which were low and whitewashed.
The windows were few, small and high, and some of these mean,
wretched-looking hovels were surrounded by a mud and sand wall. We saw
only Moors and a few Arabs. The country higher up appeared green and
fresh, although much rock and sand abounded. The harbour, or rather bay,
is small, and its depth of water from two to five fathoms. The principal
battery is built on a solid tongue of ro