AND LOWER EGYPT. I45 



A great part of the day had elapsed; it was im- 

 possible for us to depart, and we passed the night 

 in our boat opposite to Sahet. The Kiaschef had 

 been informed of the manner in which his repre- 

 sentative had oppressed me. He sent another 

 officer to reprimand him, to oblige him to restore 

 the money which he had extorted, and to make 

 his apologies. In truth, he came at night into 

 my kanja. His air was as humble as it had before 

 been insolent. He assured me that the scene of 

 the morning was the effect of drunkenness. I 

 dismissed him very well contented, for I allowed 

 him to carry off the fourteen pence. 



I was not yet freed from difficulties : sur- 

 rounded with men, greedy, deceitful, and disho- 

 nest, the traveller sees them spring up under his 

 feet in these distant cantons. The reis, v/ho till 

 then had been a peaceable spectator, wished also 

 io have his turn. He raised his demand ; he 

 played off a thousand quirks, and it was not till a 

 long time after the rising of (he sun that we were 

 able to quit the shore of Sahet. The weather was 

 calm ; the sailors were obliged to drag the boat 

 along with a rope. 



We met with several floats formed of pastecas 

 which were descending the Nile. These fruits are 

 extremely common in Thebafs, and to avoid the 



VOL. Ill, L trouble 



