THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 45 



A certain kind of robber, peculiar to the Nile* is con- 

 ftantly on the watch to rob boats, in which they fuppofe 

 the crew are off their guard. They generally approach the 

 boat when it is calm, either fwimming under water, or when 

 it is dark, upon goats fkins ; after which, they mount with 

 the utmoft fllence, and take away whatever they can lap 

 their hands om 



They are not very fond, I am told, of meddling with ve£ 

 fels whereon they fee Franks, or Europeans, becaufe by- 

 them fome have been wounded with fire-arms. 



The attempts are generally made when you are at -anchor^; 

 or under weigh, at night, in very moderate weather ; but 

 oftenell when you are falling down the ftream without 

 malls ; for it requires, ftrengtli, vigour, and* fkill, to get 

 aboard a veiTel going before a brifk wind ; though indeed 

 they are abundantly provided with all thefe requifites. 



Behind the dining-room (that is, nearer the Hern,) youi 

 have a bed-chamber ten feet long, and a place for putting' 

 your books and arms. With the latter we were plentiful- 

 ly f applied, both- with thofe of the ufeful kind, and thofe 

 (fuch as large blunderbufies,) meant to ftrike terror. We had' 

 great abundance of ammunition likewife, both for our de-~ 

 fence and fport. 



With books we were lefs fumimed, yet our library was* 

 efafen, and a very dear one ; for, finding how much my bag- 

 gage was increafed by the accemon of* the large quadrant 

 and its foot, and Dolland's large achromatic teiefcope, I be-*- 

 gan.to think it folly to load myfelf more with things to he* 



carriecb 



