488 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
Ageeb had been fent to by the king, to collect all his forces ~ 
among the Arabs, and join him between Herbagi and Sen- 
naar. It was forefeen, that if this was true, a revolution of 
fome kind was near at hand, probably the depofing - and 
death of the king, and that, in the interim, all fubordina= 
tion would ceafe in the town, and every man dowhatfeem- _ 
ed good in his own eyes. 
Hac: Beat had, befides, told me that Shekh Fidele of 
Teawa had been feveral days in the palace with the king, and 
had informed him that I was laden with money, befides.a 
quantity of cloth of gold, the richeft he had ever feen, — 
which the king of Abyflinia had deftined as a prefent to 
him, but which I had perverted to my own ufe: He add- 
ed, that the king had exprefled himfelf in a very threaten- 
ing manner, and that he was very much afraid I was not 
in fafety if Shekh Adelan was gone from Aira. Upon this — 
I defired Hagi Belal to go to the palace, and obtain for me 
an audience of the king. In vain he reprefented to me the 
rifk Iran by this meafure; I perfifted in my refolution, I 
was tied to the ftake. To fly was impoflible, and I had often 
overcome fuch dangers by braving them. 
= 
He went then unwillingly to the palace. Whether he ~ 
delivered the meflage I know not, but he returned faying, 
the king was bufy, and could not be feen. I had, in the in-. 
terim, fent Soliman to the Gindi, or Sid el Coom, telling him 
my difficulties, and the news I had heard. In place of re- 
turning an anfwer, he came directly to me himfelf; and 
was fitting with me when Hagi Belal returned, whet I 
thought, irene fomewhat difconcerted at the meeting. 
4, ree ' : He © 
