46 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



carried on mens moulders through a country full of moun- 

 tains, which it was very doubtful whether I fhould get li- 

 berty to enter, much more be able to induce favages to car- 

 ry thefe incumbrances for me. 



To reduce the bulk as much as poflible, after confider- 

 ing in my mind what were likeliefl to be of fervice to me 

 in the countries through which I was paffing, and the feve- 

 ral inquiries I was to make, I fell, with fome remorfe, upon 

 garbling my library, tore out all the leaves which I had 

 marked for my purpofe, deflroyed fome editions of very 

 rare books, rolling up the needful, and tying them by them- 

 felves. I. thus reduced my library to a more compact form. 



It was December 12th when I embarked on the Nile at 

 Bulac, on board the Canja already mentioned, the remain- 

 ing part of which needs no defcription, but will be under- 

 ftood immediately upon infpection. 



At firft we had the precaution to apply to our friend Rifk 

 concerning our captain Hagi Haffan Abou Cufli, and we ob- 

 liged him to give his fon Mahomet in fecurity for his be- 

 haviour towards us. Our hire to Furfhout was twenty-feven 

 patakas, or about L. 6 : 15 : o Sterling. 



There was nothing fo much we defired as to be at fome 

 diftance from Cairo on our voyage. Bad affairs and extor- 

 tions always overtake you in this deteflable country, at the 

 very time when you are about to leave it. 



The wind was contrary, fo we were obliged to advance 

 againft the ftream, by having the boat drawn with a rope. 



