THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 59 



prevent me, repeated the words in a hurry, k gzeir^ he gzeir^ 

 or, for God's fake don't, for God's fake don't. However, the 

 compliment was paid. As foon as I arofe, without defiring 

 me to fit down, he afked aloud, Have you feen the king? I 

 faid, Not yet. Have you any complaint to make againft any 

 one, or grace to afk? I anfwered, None, but the continuance 

 of your favour. He anfwered. That I am fure I owe you ; 

 go to the king. I took my leave. I had been joftled and 

 almoft fqueezed to death attempting to enter, but large 

 room was made me for retiring. 



The reception I had met with was the infallible rule 

 ■according to which the courtiers were to fpeak to me 

 from that time forward. Man is the fame creature every- 

 where, although difFerent in colour : the court of London 

 and that of Abyffinia are, in their principles, one. I then 

 ^ent immediately to the king in the prefence-chamber. His 

 largeft tent was crowded to a degree of fufFocation ; I re- 

 folved, therefore, to wait till this throng was over, and was 

 going to my own tent, which my fervants pitched near that 

 of Kefla Yafous, by that general's own defire, but before I 

 could reach it I was called by a fervant from the king. 

 Though the throng had greatly decreafed, there was Hill a 

 very crowded circle. 



The king was fitting upon an ivory ftool, fuch as are rc- 

 prefented upon ancient medals ; he had got this as a pre- 

 fcntfrom Arabia fince he went to Tigre; he was plainly, but 

 very neatly drefled, and his hair combed and perfumed. 

 When I kiffed the ground before him, " There, fays he, is 

 an arch rebel, what puni/Iiment fhall we inflid; upon him?" 

 *' Your majefty's juftice, faid I, will not fuffer you to inflift 



H 2 any 



