“_Gatroni, December 5_, 1822.
“We have commenced our journey, and find travelling very pleasant.
We find it very cold, particularly in the mornings and evenings—a
circumstance which obliges us to wrap ourselves up the same as in
your northern regions. Our company is a very large one; it consists
of nearly 300 men, of whom 200 are Arabs sent for our safety. I would
have been better pleased to have had none, as the road is free from
danger, and the people no way to be dreaded. We have never, thank God,
had had any thing to fear—our path has been smooth. With good conduct,
I expect our dangers will be few, some hardships must, doubtless, be
encountered, but where can we be without them? The people here are
mostly Teboos, a different race from the natives of Fezzan. Some of the
women have very pretty countenances and a lively expression. I have
just been witnessing some of their dances, which are really very chaste
and pleasing. They want the spirit of your reels, and resemble the
movements of a minuet. There is something smooth and sweet in the songs
that always accompany these performances, but the instrumental music is
grating to the ears. We leave this to-morrow; it is the joyful period
we have long looked forward to. We go under most propitious auspices,
and all, I trust, will be well.