THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 395 



brought my tranfgreflion to my mind, and I hurried out of 

 the forbidden place in an inilant. 



I met feveral of my acquaintance, who accompanied me 

 to the king's tent. It was now noon ; a plentiful dinner or 

 brea-kfaft was waiting, which I had abfolutely refufed to 

 partake of till 1 had feen the king. Thinking all was a fecret 

 that had palled at Ozoro Efther's, 1 lifted the curtain behind 

 the king's chair, and coming round till nearly oppolite to 

 him, I was about to perform the ufual proftration, when in 

 the very inftant the young prince George, who was (landing 

 oppofite to me on the king his brother's right hand, llcpt for- 

 ward and laid his hand acrofs my breafl as if to prevent 

 me from kneeling ; then turning to the king, who was 

 fitting as ufual in his chair in the alcove, Sir, fays he, be- 

 fore you allow Yagoube to kneel, you mould firft provide 

 two men to lift him up again, for Ozoro Efther has given 

 him fo much wine that he will never be able to do it him- 

 felf.. 



Though it was almoftf impomble to avoid laughing, it 

 was viiible the king conftrained himfelf, and was not plea- 

 fed. The drink had really this good eflecT:, that it made me 

 lefs abamed than I otherwife mould have been at this un- 

 expected fally of the young prince. I was, however, fome- 

 what difconcerted, and made my proftration perhaps lefs 

 gracefully than at another time, and this raifed the merri- 

 ment of thofe in waiting, as attributing it to intoxication, 

 Upon rifing, the kingmofl gracioufly ftretched out his hand 

 for me to kifs. While I was holding his hand, he faid to 

 his brother, coldly, Surely if you thought him drunk, you 

 mull have expected a reply ; in that cafe, it would have 



3D2 been 



