28 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



without any ceremony. Then came two or three more, in 

 the name of Achmet, who were told by the fervant that they 

 would not be admitted. They then afked to fpeak with me, 

 and grew very tumultuous, prefling with their backs 

 againlt the door. When I came to them, a young man a- 

 mong them fakl he was fon to Emir Achmet, and that his 

 father and fome friends were coming to drink a glafs o£ 

 aracky (fo they call brandy) with me. I told him my refo- 

 lution was not to admit either Emir Achmet, or any other 

 perfon at night, and that I never drank aracky. 



They attempted again to force open the door, which was 

 ftrongly barricaded. But as there were cracks in it, I put 

 the point of a fword through one of them, defiring them, 

 to be cautious of hurting themfelves upon the iron fpikes. 

 Still they attempted to force open the door, when the fer- 

 vant told them, that Achmet, when he left him the charge of 

 that door, had ordered us to fire upon them who offered to- 

 force an entrance at night. A voice afked him, Who the devil 

 he was ? The fervant anfwered, in a very fpirited manner, 

 That he had greater reafon to afk who they were, as he 

 took them for thieves, about whole names he did not trou- 

 ble himfelf, " However," fays he, " mine is Abdelcader, (the 

 fon of fomebody elfe whom I do not remember). Now you 

 know who I am, and that I do not fear you ; and you, Ya- 

 goube, if you do not fire upon them, your blood be upon- 

 your own head. The Sardar from the caftle will foon be 

 up with the reft." I ordered then a torch to be brought, 

 that they might have a view of us through the cracks o£ 

 the door ; but Abdelcader's threat being fully fumcient, they, 

 retired, and we heard no more of them. 



It 



