THE SOURCE OF THE NTLE. ^$ 



peated annually if he performs fo often the voyage. And 

 for this the Arab promifes the Chriftian his protection,, 

 fhould he ever be fo unfortunate as to be fhipwrecked on 

 their coaft. 



The Turks are very bad feamen, and lofe many mips,- 

 the greateil part of the crew are therefore Chriftians ; when 

 a veffel ftrikes, or is afhore, the Turks a,re all maflacred if 

 they cannot make their way good by force ; but the Chrif- 

 tians prefent themfelves to the Arab, crying Fiwduc, which 

 means, ' we are under immediate protection.' If they are afk~ 

 ed, who is their Gaffeer, or Arab, with whom they are in 

 friendfhip ? They anfwer, Mahomet Abdelcader is our Gaf- 

 feer, or any other. If he is not there, you are told he is 

 abfent fo many days journey off, or any diftance. This ac- 

 quaintance or neighbour, then helps you, to fave what you 

 have from the wreck, and one of them with his lance 

 draws a circle, large enough to hold you and yours. He 

 then flicks his lance in the fand, bids you abide within that 

 circle, and goes and brings your Gaffeer, with what camels 

 you want, and this Gaffeer is obliged, by rules known only 

 to themfelves, to carry you for nothing, or very little, where- 

 ever you go, and to furnifli you with provifions all the way. 

 Within that circle you are as fafe on the defert coaft of Ara- 

 bia, as in a citadel ; there is no example or exception to the 

 contrary that has ever yet been known. There are many 

 Arabs, who, from fituation, near dangerous fhoals or places, 

 where mips often perifh (as between Ras Mahemet and Ras 

 Selah, *Dar el Hamra, and fome others) have perhaps fifty 



or 



* See- the Map, 



