THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 507 



Camels flefh is tlie ordinary food of the Arabs ; but 

 there is Hill room to inquire what becomes of the prodigi- 

 ous numbers of this animal annually confumed. The ca- 

 ravan of Mecca requires a large fupply, and vaft num- 

 bers are employed in the fervice of Damafcus, of Sy- 

 ria and Perfia, and efpecially of Sudan, whofe caravans 

 traverfe Africa from eaft to well with Indian commodi- 

 ties, which they carry from the Arabian Gulf to the At- 

 lantic Ocean. Thefe, and this vaft inland trade of which 

 they were maflers, the gold, ivory, pearls, and tortoife 

 fliells, that ferved for returns to India, were the fource of 

 the riches and power of thofe Shepherds, of which fo 

 many things are recorded in ancient hiftory almoft exceed- 

 ing belief. 



Immediately upon entering Herbagi, I went to wait 

 upon Wed Ageeb. He had a very good houfe, confidered 

 as fuch, though but a very indifferent palace for a prince. 

 He feemed to be a man of very gentle manners ; was about 30 

 years of age ; had a thick black beard and whifl<ers, large 

 black eyes, and a long thin face, which marked his confti- 

 tution not to be a ftrong one. We foimd, indeed, after- 

 wards, that he had been very much addi^fbed to drinking, 

 which he had often endeavoured in vain to leave off, by 

 fubftituting opium in its place. He had never before feen 

 an European, and teftified great furprifeat my complexion. 

 He fent us abundance of provifions, two fheep and two 

 goats, and begged I would give him advice about his health 

 in the evening. He inquired very parcicularly about my 

 reception at Sennaar, which I told him only in part, and, 

 among other circumftances, the report at Sennaar, that he 

 was gathering his forces to the affiilance of the king againft 



3^2 Adelan 



