THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 27 



Mahomet Gibberti had told him I could help him. He de- 

 fired me alfo to keep the bearer with me in my houfe, and 

 give him charge of the gate till he could come to Mafuah 

 himfelf. 



I soon faw the treachery of the Naybe. He had not, in- 

 deed, forbid me to go and fee his nephew, but he had for- 

 bid any boat to carry me; and this I told the fervant, appeal- 

 ing to the Sardar for what I faid in the divan of my willing- 

 nefs to go to Arkeeko to Achmet, though I pofitively refu- 

 fed to go to Hamazen. I begged the fervant to flop for a 

 moment, and go to the Sardar who was in the caftle, as I 

 had been very effentially obliged to him for his interpofi- 

 tion at a very critical time, when there was an intention to 

 take away my life. I fent him a fmall prefent by Achmet's 

 fervant, who delivered the meffage faithfully, and had heard 

 all that had paffed in the divan. He brought me back a 

 pipe from the Sardar in return for my prefent, with this 

 meffage, That he had heard of my countrymen, though he 

 had never feen them ; that he loved brave men, and could 

 not fee them injured; but Achmet being my friend, I had no 

 need of him. That night he departed for Arkeeko, defiring 

 us to fhut the door, and leaving us another man, with or- 

 ders to admit nobody, and advifmg us to defend ourfelves 

 if any one offered to force entrance, be they who they would, 

 for that nobody had bufinefs abroad in the night. 



I now began to refume my confidence, feeing that Pro- 

 vidence had ftill kept us under his protection ; and it was 

 not long when we had an opportunity to exercife this con- 

 fidence. About 12 o'clock at night a man came to the 

 door, and defired to be admitted ; which requeft was refufed 



D-2 without 



