THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 733
I asked the pried, into whofe good graces I had purpofe- ly infinuated myfelf, if ever any fpirit had been feen by him? He anfwered, without hefitation, Yes ; very frequently. He faid he had feen the fpirit the evening of the 3d, (juft as the fun was fetting) under a tree, which he fhewed me at-a dif- tance, who told him of the death of a fon, and alfo that a party' from Fafd's army was coming; that, being afraid, he confulted his ferpent, who ate readily and heartily, from which he knew no harm was to befal him from us. I afked him if he could prevail on the fpirit to appear to me ? He faid he could not venture to make this requeft. If he thought he would appear co me, if, in the evening, I fat under that tree alone ? he faid he believed not. He faid he was of a very graceful figure and appearance; he thought ra- ther older than middle age ; but he feldom chofe to look at his face ; he had a long white beard, his cloaths not like theirs, of leather, but like filk, of the fafhion of the country. I afked him how he was certain it was not a man ? he laughed, or rather fneered, fhaking his head, and fay- ing No, no, it is no man, but a fpirit. I afked him then what fpirit he thought it was ? he faid it was of the ri- ver it was God, the Father of mankind ; but I never could bring him to be more explicit. I then defired to know why he prayed againft thunder. He faid, becaufe it was hurtful to the bees, their great revenue being honey and wax : then, why he prayed for ferpents ? he replied, Becaufe they taught him the coming of good or evil. It Teems they have all feveral of thefe creatures in their neighbourhood, and the richer fort always in their houfes,whom they take care of, and feed before they undertake a journey, or any affair of confequence. They take this animal from his hole, and put butter and milk before him, of which he is
