502 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



and before I tafted food, which that day I had not done, 

 when they all intreated me with one voice that I would 

 •confider the dangers I had efcaped, and, inftead of turning 

 weilward to Shaddly, continue north through Atbara. 

 They prbmifed to bear fatigue and hunger chearfuUy, and 

 to live and die with me, provided I would proceed home- 

 ward, and free them from the horrors of Sennaar and its 

 -king. I did not feem to be convinced by what they faid, 

 but ordered fupper, to which we all fat down in company. 

 As we had lemons enough, and Hagi Belal had furnilhed 

 us with f"gar, we opened a bottle of his rack and in 

 punch (the liquor of our country) drank to a happy return 

 thro' Atbara. I then told them my refolution was perfe<5t- 

 ly conformable to their wifhes ; and informed them of the 

 meafures I had taken to infure fuccefs and remove danger 

 as much as poffible. I recommended diligence, fobriety, 

 and fubordination, as the only means of arriving happily 

 at the end propofed ; and afllired them all we fhould fliare 

 one common fare, and one common fortune, till our jour- 

 ney was terminated by good or bad fuccefs. Never was 

 any difcourfe more gratefully received ; every toil was wel- 

 come in flying from Sennaar, and they already began to 

 think themfelves at the gates of Cairo. 



As I had recommended great diligence and little fleep, 

 before four in the morning the camels were loaded, and on 

 their way, and it was then only they came to awake me. 

 The camels were abundantly loaded, and we had then but 

 five, four of which carried all the baggage, the other, a 

 fmaller one, was referved for my riding. This I told them 

 I willingly accepted at the beginning of the journey, and 

 we fliould all of us take our turn, while water and provi- 

 3 fions 



