T H E S O U R C E O F T H E N IL E. 6^i
and ilot to Jidda, they might then depend upon your word, that, if they were pundual in fulfiUing their en- gagements, they Ihould never find you faiUng in yours." " That they fliall never have to fay of me, fays the Bey; all this is to my advantage. But you do not tell me what I am to do for you?" " Be fleady, Sir, f^id I, in your promife; it is now late, but I will come again to fettle the duties with you ; and be afTured, that when it is known at home what, at my private defire, you hare done formy country in gene- ral, it will be the greatefl honour that ever a prince confer- red on me in my life." " Why, let it be fo, fays he, bring coffee; fee you admit him whenever he calls ; bring a caf- tan*." Coffee was accordingly brought, and I was cloath- ed in my caftan. I went down flairs with my barracan hid under it, and was received with greater refpeft by the bye-ilanders than when I came up ; the man was the fame, but it was the caftan that made the difference. My friend the Sarach and his banditti were ready at the door with a mule, which had gilt ftirrups, an-d was finely capari- foned, .
I WENT back with fullas much fpeed as I came, but free from thofe falutations of the quarter-ftaff, which I flill felt upon my haunches. The fcale of politenefs was now turn- ed in my favour ; and to fliew their refpecfl for me, the fol- diers knocked down every perfon they overtook in the flireets, giving him firft a blow with the quarter-ftaff upon the head, then afking him, why he did not get out of the way ? All my people at St George had given me over for
- ■ It is a loofe garment like a night-gown ; it is a gift of ceremony, and mark.sf favout,.
