THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 369 
I was very fenfible that I was playing a farce upon which, 
avery great deal depended. Though in thefe countries 
the daughters of minifters and great men are given to in- 
feriors, this is only with a view of having them provided 
for; they are fpies upon their hufbands, and keep up 
the confequence of their birth in their hufband’s houfe 
even after they are married, and this I underftood was 
precifely the cafe with Adelan’s daughter. Notwithftand- 
ing the bad character I had of Fidele, I knew he durft 
not rob me, without murdering me alfo; and I was fure 
he did not dare to do either, if it was once known that I 
was arrived in the dominions of Sennaar; and this his 
wife could inform Adelan her father of, whenever fhe plea- 
fed. This was then the firft flep towards fafety. 
-. Isuarx not trouble my reader with a-repetition of my 
medical inquiries, nor the complaints of ladies, which 
are properly fecrets with me, though at the diftance of At- 
bara. The ipecacuanha operation gave high fatisfaction. 
It was now happily terminated; but, whilft it was admi- 
niftering, I obferved the figure, who till then appeared co- 
vered, had unveiled her face and head down to her fhoul- 
ders; and feon after one of the flaves, her attendant, as in 
play, pulled off the remaining part of the veil that cover- 
ed her. I was aftonifhed at the fight of fo much beauty. 
-Her hair, which was not woolly, but long, and in great 
quantity, was braided and twifted round. like a crown up- 
on the top of her head, ornamented with beads, and the 
fmall white Guinea-fhells, commonly known here by the 
mame of blackamoor’s teeth. She had plain rings of 
gold in her ears, and four rows of gold chain about her 
neck, to which was hung a number of fequins pierced ; 
J 3A ; Pathe =. 
