THE SOURCETOF THE NILE, I4G 
complaints, but of what I did not underftand, only that 
they feemed to accufe us of having wronged them. In fhort, 
we found the matter was this ; one of the Moors had taken 
a heap of ftraw which he was carrying to-his afs, but the 
proprietor, at feeing this, had alarmed the village. Every 
body had taken lances and fhields, but, not daring to ap- 
proach for fear of the fire-arms, they had contented them-- 
felves with fhowering ftones at us from their hiding-places, 
at a diftance from among the bufhes. We immediately 
told them, however, that though, as the-king’s gueft, I had 
a title to be furnifhed with what was neceflary, yet, if they 
were averfe to it, I was very well content to pay for every 
thing they furnifhed, both for my men and beafts ; but that 
they muft throw no ftones, otherwife we.would defend our 
felves. 
Our tent being now pitched, and every thirg in order, 
a treaty foon followed. They confented to fell us what we 
wanted, but at extravagant: prices, which, however, | was 
content to comply with. Buta man of the village, acquaint- 
ed with one of the king’s fervants, had communicated to 
him, that the pretence of the Moor’s taking the flraw was 
not really the reafon of the uproar, for they made no ufe of 
it except to burn; but that a report had been fpread abroad, 
that an action had happened between Fafil and Ras Michael, 
in. which the latter had been defeated, and the country no 
longer in fear of the Ras, had indulged themfelves in their 
ufual excefles, and, taking us for a caravan of Mahometans.. 
with merchandife, had refolved to rob us... ~ , 
We LLeTa Mrcuaet, grandfon to Ras Michael, command-- 
ed.this part of the province; and being but. thirteen years 
OF 
