Chapter III

Departure of the Expedition from Tripoly — Passage through
Tagiura — Fertile appearance of the latter — Its Mosque,
and actual remains — Tagiura considered as the site of
Abrotonum — Existence of a Salt-water Lake at Tagiura,
consistent with Strabo’s account of Abrotonum — Present
tranquil condition of the Country in this Neighbourhood
contrasted with its dangerous state in the time of Consul Tully
— Sand-heaps to the eastward of Tagiura — Remarks on their
formation, and on the accumulation of Sand in other places —
Dangers of the Sand-storm considered — Passage over the Sandy
Tract to the eastward of Tagiura — Arrive at Wady Ramleh —
Stormy weather at that place — Take leave of our European
friends who had accompanied us from Tripoly — Continuance
of the gale — Arrive at Wady’m’Seyd — Attempt to pass,
without success, across the Sand-hills to the Coast — Arrive
at Guadigmata — Position of Graphara, as laid down by Scylax,
considered — Ancient remains discovered by Captain Smyth
in the neighbourhood of Wady’m’Seyd and Abdellata —
Remarks on these, considered as the remains of Graphara —
Scuffle with the Arabs at Sidy Abdellati — Remains at that
place indicative of an ancient military station — Cross the
range of Selem — Extensive view from its summit over the
fertile plains of Lebida and Jumarr — Rains still continue
— Distress of the Camels — Meet with the English Consul
on his return from an Excursion to Lebida — Report of a
troop of marauding Arabs lying in wait for our Party 33