Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/554

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530 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER

"Why then, faid I, by all thofe obligations you are pleafed to> mention, of which you have made a recital fa truly honour- able to me, I a Ik you the greateft favour that man can be- llow upon me — fend me, as conveniently as poilible, to the hc*d of the Nile, and return me and my attendants in fafety, after having difpatched me quicklv, and put me under no conltraint that may prevent me from fatisfy- ing my curiofity in my own way." "This, fays he, is no re- queft, I have granted it already ; befides, I owe it to the com- mands of the king, whole: fervant I am. Since, however* it is fo much at your heart", go in peace, I will provide you with all necelTaries. If I am alive, and governor of Damot, as you are, we all know, a prudent and fenfible man, ur> fettled as the Hate of the country is, nothing difagreeable can befal you.

He then turned again to his feven chiefs, who all got up, himfelf and I, Guebra Ehud, Welleta Michael, and the Fit-Auraris ; we all Hood round in a circle, and raifed the palm of our hands, while he and his Galla together repeat- ed a prayer about a minute long; the Galla feemingly with great devotion. Now, fays Fafil, go in peace, you are a Galla; this is a curie upon them, and their children, their corn, . grafs, and cattle, if ever they lift their hand againlt you or yours, or do not defend you to the utmoft, if attacked by others, or endeavour to defeat any defign they may hear is intended againll you." Upon this I offered to kifs his hand before I took my leave, and we all went to the door of the tent, where there was a very handfome grey b.orfe bridled and faddled. " Take this'horfe, fays Fafil, as a prefent from me; it is not fo good as your own, but, depend upon it, it is not of the kind that rafcal gave you in the morning ; it is

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