254 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



prefs us with an apprehenfion that they would rob us. The 

 Rais faid alfo, that, after my audience, the Aga had called 

 upon him, and taken away the tijkera, telling him he was 

 free, and to obey nobody but me ; and fent me one of h is 

 fervants to fit at the door, with orders to admit nobody but 

 whom I pleafed, and that I might not be troubled with the 

 people of Yambo. 



Hitherto all was well; but it had been with me an ob- 

 servation, which had conftantly held good, that too profper- 

 ous beginnings in thefe countries always ended in ill at the 

 laft. I was therefore refolved to ufe my profperity with 

 great temperance and caution, make myfelf as ftrong, and 

 ufe my ftrength as little, as it was poffible for me to do. 



There was a man of confiderable weight in Aleppo, 

 named *Sidi Ali Tarabolouffi, who was a great friend of Dr 

 RufTel, our phyfician, through whom I became acquainted 

 with him. He was an intimate friend and acquaintance of 

 the cadi of Medina, and had given me a letter to him, 

 recommending me, in a very particular manner, to his pro- 

 tection and feryices. I inquired about this perfon, and was 

 told he was in town, directing the diftribution of the corn 

 to be fent to his capital. Upon my inquiry, the news were 

 carried to him as foon almoft as his name was uttered; on 

 which, being defirous of knowing what fort of man I was, 

 about eight o'clock in the evening he fent me a menage, 

 and, immediately after, I received a vifit from him. 



I was 



* Native of Tripoli : it is Turkifti, 



