2 , 7 2 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



pilfering of what was left. The keys had remained with 

 me, and the Vizir had gone to fleep, as is ufual, about mid- 

 day. As foon as he awaked, being greedy of his prey, he 

 fell immediately to my baggage, wondering that fuch a 

 quantity of it, and that boxes in fuch a curious form, fhould 

 belong to a mean man like me ; he was therefore full of 

 hopes, that a fine opportunity for pillage was now at hand. 

 He afked for the keysof the trunks, my fervant faid, they 

 were with me, but he would go inilantly and bring them. 

 That, however, was too long to ftay ; no delay could poffi- 

 bly be granted. Accuftomed to pilfer, they did not force 

 the locks, but, very artiil like, took off the hinges at the 

 back, and in that manner opened the lids, without opening 

 the -locks. 



The firft thing that prefented itfelf to the Vizir's fight, 

 was the firman of the Grand Signior, magnificently written 

 and titled, and the inscription powdered with gold duft, and 

 wrapped in green taffeta. After this was a white fattin bag, 

 addreffed to the Khan of Tartary, with which Mr Peyffonel, 

 French conful of Smyrna, had favoured me, and which I had 

 not delivered, as the Khan was then prifoner at Rhodes. The 

 next was a green and gold iilk bag, with letters directed to 

 the Sherriffe of Mecca ; and then came a plain crimfon-fattin 

 bag, with letters addreffed to Metical Aga, f word bearer (or 

 Scholar, as it is called) of the Sherriffe, or his great minifter 

 and favourite. He then found a letter from Ali Bey to him- 

 felf, written with all the fuperiority of a Prince to a Have. 



In this letter the Bey told him plainlv, that he heard the 

 governments of Jidda, Mecca, and other States of the Sher- 

 liffe, were difoxderly, ami that merchants., coming about 



their 



