THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 215 



Again all was wonder. It occafioned me many idle hours 

 before the curiofity of the palace was fatisfied. I faw the 

 queen once every day at her levee, fometimes in the even- 

 ing, where many priefts were always prefent. I was, for 

 the moft part, twice a-day, morning and evening, with Ozo- 

 ro Efther, where I feldom met with any. 



One day, when I went early to the queen, that I might 

 get away in-time, having fome other engagements about 

 noon, juft as I was taking my leave, in came Abba Salama. 

 At firft he did not know me from the change of drefs ; but, 

 foon after recollecting me, he faid, as it were, palling, " Are 

 you here ? I thought you was with Ras Michael." I made 

 him no anfwer, but bowed, and took my leave, when he 

 called out, with an air of authority, Come back, and beckon- 

 ed me with his hand. 



Several people entered the room at that inftant, and I 

 flood ftill in the fame place where I was, ready to receive 

 the Iteghe' s orders : (he faid, " Come back, and fpeak to- 

 Abba Salama." I then advanced a few paces forward, and 

 faid, looking to the Iteghe, " "What has Abba Salama to 

 fay to me ?" He began directing his difcourfe to the queen, 

 " Is he a prieft.? Is he a prieft?" The Iteghe anfwered very 

 gravely, "Every good man is a prieft to himfelf ; in that fenfe, 

 and no other, Yagoube is a prieft." — "Will you anfwer a que- 

 ftion that I will aik you?" fays he to me, with a very pert 

 tone of voice. " I do not know but I may, if it is a difcreet 

 one," laid I, in Tigre. " Why don't you fpeak Amharic ?" 

 fays he to me in great hafte, or feeming impatience. " Be- 

 caufe I cannot [peak it well," faid I. " Why don't you, on. 

 die other hand, fpeak Tigre to me .? it is the language 



the 



