THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 173 



nine horfemen in all, and fourteen or fifteen beggarly foot- 

 men. He had a well-drefled young man going before him 

 carrying his gun, and had only a whip in his own hand ; 

 the reft had lances in theirs ; but none of the horfemen 

 had fhields. It was univerfally agreed, that this feemed to- 

 be a party fet for us, and that he probably had others before 

 appointed to join him, for we were fare his nine horfe 

 would not venture to do any thing. Upon the firft appear- 

 ance, we had flopped on this fide of the river ; but Welleta 

 Michael's men, who were to accompany us to Lamalmon, 

 and Janni's fervant, told us to crofs the river, and make 

 what fpeed we could, as the Shum's government ended on. 

 this fide. 



Our people were now all on foot, and the Moors drove, 

 thebeafts before them. I got immediately upon horfeback, 

 when they were then about five hundred yards below, or 

 fcarcely fo much. As foon as they obferved us drive our 

 beafts into the river, one of their horfemen came galloping 

 up, while the others continued at a fmart walk. When the 

 horfeman was within twenty yards diflance of me, I called 

 upon him to flop, and, as he valued his life, not approach 

 nearer. On this he made no difficulty to obey, but feemed 

 rather inclined to turn back. As I faw the baggage all laid 

 on the ground at the foot of a fmall round hill, upon the 

 gentle afcent of which my fervants all flood armed, I turn- 

 ed about my horfe, and with -Yafine, who was by my fide, 

 began to crofs the river. The horfeman upon this again 

 advanced; again I cried to him to -flop. He then pointed 

 behind him, and faid, " The Shum !" 1 defired him peremp- 

 torily to flop, or I would fire ; upon which he turned 

 round, and the others joining him, they held a minute's 



counfell 



