THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. x 3 



feveral officers opened the bales and packages before him,; 

 the other chair on his left hand was empty. 



He was drefled all in white, in a long Banian habit 

 of muflin, and a clofe-bodied frock reaching to his an- 

 cles, much like the white frock and petticoat the young 

 children wear in England. This fpecies of drefs did not, 

 in any way, fuit Achmet's fhape or fize; but, it feems, he 

 meant to be in gala. As foon as I came in fight of him, I 

 doubled my pace : Mahomet Gibberti's fervant whifpered 

 to me, not to kifs his hand ; which indeed I intended to 

 have done. Achmet flood up,juft as I arrived within arm's 

 length of him ; when we touched each other's hands, car- 

 ried our fingers to our lips, then laid our hands crofs our 

 breads : I pronounced the falutation of the inferior SalamAli- 

 cuml Peace be between us; to which he anfwered immediate- 

 ly, Alkum Salam ! There is peace between us. He pointed to 

 the chair, which I declined ; but he obliged me to fit down, 



In thefe countries, the greater honour that is fhewn you at 

 firft meeting, the more confiderable prefent is expected. He 

 made a fign to bring coffee directly, as the immediate of- 

 fering of meat or drink is an aflurance your life is not in 

 danger. He began with an air that feemed rather fcrious •: 

 " We have expected you here fome time ago, but thought 

 you had changed your mind, and was gone to India."— 

 " Since failing from Jidda, I have been in Arabia Felix, the 

 Gulf of Mocha, andcroffed laft from Lohcia."— " Are you not 

 afraid," faidhe, " fo thinly attended, to venture upon thefe 

 long and dangerous voyages. ?"— " The countries where I 

 have been are either fubject to the emperor of Conftanti- 

 nople, whole firman I have now the honour, to prefent yea. 



or 



