THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 521 



a terrible fury, and faid three words to the Fit-Auraris in 

 Galla, who immediately went out ; and, as my fervants told 

 me afterwards, after lending for the feis, or groom, who 

 had brought me the horfe, the firft falutation that he gave 

 him was a blow over the head with a bludgeon, which 

 felled him to the ground, then a dozen more ftrokes, and 

 ordered him to be put in irons, after which he returned in- 

 to the tent. 



Fasil, who heard I was hurt, and faw the quantity of 

 blood upon my trowfers, held up his hands with a fhew of 

 horror and concern, which plainly was not counterfeited : 

 he protefted, by every oath he could devife, that he knew no- 

 thing about the matter, and was afleep at the time; that he 

 had no horfes with him worth my acceptance, except the 

 one that he rode, but that any horfe known to be his, driven 

 before me, would be a paffport, and procure me reflect a- 

 mong all the wild people whom I might meet, and for that 

 reafon only he had thought of giving me a horfe. He repeat- 

 ed his protections that he was innocent, and heartily forry 

 for the accident, which, indeed, he appeared to be: he told 

 me the groom was in irons, and that, before many hours 

 palled, he would put him to death. I was perfectly fatisfied 

 with his fincerity. I wifhed to put an end to this difagree- 

 able converfation: "Sir, faid l,as this man has attempted my 

 life, according to the laws of the country, it is I that fhould 

 name the puniihmcnt." " It is very true, replied Fafil, take him, 

 Yagoube, and cut him in a thoufand pieces, if you pleafe, 

 and give his body to the kites." " Are you really fincere in 

 what you fay, faid I, and will you have no after excufes." He 

 fwore folemniy he would not. "Then, faid I, I am a Chriflian; 

 the way my religion teaches me to punifh my enemies is 



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