It was arranged that these gentlemen should travel
at the expense and under the protection of Great Britain, and that their
reports should be duly forwarded to the Foreign Office.
Drs. Barth and Overweg, with European impetuosity, eager at once to
grapple with adventure and research, had pushed on whilst I waited for
final instructions from Lord Palmerston. They had arrived at Tripoli
about twelve days before me, and, as I afterwards learned, had usefully
and pleasantly occupied their time in excursions to the neighbouring
mountains, which I had previously visited and examined on my way to
Ghadamez.
We learned on landing, that a good deal of the anxiety I had felt on
account of my slow progress from England had been thrown away. Our arms,
instruments, and stores, had not yet arrived from Malta. However, they
were promised for an early date, and the hospitable reception afforded
us by Mr. Consul-general Crowe, as well as the knowledge that a vast
number of small details of preparation could be immediately commenced,
contributed to console us.
Among the things expected, and which arrived in due time, was a boat
built by order of the Government in Malta dockyard. It was sent in two
sides, and I wished to carry it in that state. But this proved
impossible, and just before starting we were compelled to saw each side
into two pieces, which were to be carried slung in nets upon a couple of
powerful camels.
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