I4 3 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



As the boha was the principal tree here, and in great 

 beauty, being then in flower, I let the caravan pafs, and a- 

 li^hted to make a proper choice for a drawing, when I heard 

 a cry from my fervants, " Robbers ! Robbers !" I immediately 

 got upon my mule to learn what alarm this might be, and 

 faw, to my great furprife, part of my baggage ftrewed on 

 the ground, the fervants running, fome leading, others on 

 foot driving fuch of their mules as were unloaded before 

 them ; in a word, every thing in the greateft confufion pof- 

 fible. Having got to the edge of the wood, they faced a- 

 bout, and began to prepare their fire-arms ; but as I faw the 

 king's two fervants, and the man that Janni fent with us, 

 endeavouring all they could to pitch the tent, and my horfe 

 {landing peaceably by them, I forbade our fugitives to fire, 

 till they mould receive orders from me. I now rode 

 immediately up to the tent, and in my way was faluted from 

 among the bullies with many Hones, one of which gave me 

 a violent blow upon the foot. At the fame inftant I received 

 another blow with a fmall unripe pumpkin, juft upon the 

 belly, where I was ftrongly defended by the coarfe cotton 

 cloth wrapped feveral times about me by way of fafh or 

 girdle. As robbers fight with other arms than pumpkins, 

 when I faw this fall at my feet I was no longer under ap- 

 prehenfion. 



Notwithstanding this difagreeable reception, I advan- 

 ced towards them, crying out, We were friends, and Ras Mi- 

 chael's friends; and defired only to fpeak to them, and would 

 give them what they wanted. A few flones were the only 

 anfwer, but they did no hurt. I then gave Yafine my gun, 

 thinking that might have given offence. The top of the 

 tent being now up, two men came forward making great 

 - complaints, 



