i64 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



our landlord, the Schourbatchie, upon whom I had my cre- 

 dit, and who had diftinguilhed himfelf by being very fer- 

 viceable and obliging to us, happened to be the proprietor of 

 a boat, for which, at that time, he had little employment ; 

 nothing would fatisfy him but my hiring that boat, in- 

 ftead of returning m. that which brought us up. 



This could by no means be done, without breaking faith 

 with our Rais, Abou Cum, which I was refolved not to do 

 on any account whatever, as the man had behaved honeftly 

 and well in every refpect. The janhTaries took the part of 

 their brother againft the ilranger, and threatened to cut 

 Abou Cum to pieces, and throw him to the crocodiles.. 



On the other part, he was very far from being terrified* 

 Ke told them roundly, that he was a fervant of Ali Bey, 

 that, if they attempted to take his fare from him, their pay 

 mould be Hopped at Cairo, till they furrendered the guilty 

 perfon to do him Juftice. He laughed molt unaffectedly at 

 the notion of cutting him to pieces ; and declared, that, if he 

 was to complain of the ufage he met when he went down to 

 Lower Egypt, there would not be a janiffary from Syene 

 who would not be in much greater danger of crocodiles 

 than he. 



I went in the evening to the Aga, and complained of my 

 landlord's behaviour. I told him pofitively, but with great! 

 ihew of refpecl, I would rather go down the Nile upon a 

 raft, than fet my foot in any other boat but the one that 

 brought me up. I begged him to be cautious how he pro- 

 ceeded, as it would be my Jlcrj, and not bis, that would go 



to 



