THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, 236 
effered to.take my prefent from the man who held it, that 
Fmight offer it to his Majefty and go away; but the king. 
always made a fign to put it off, till, being tired to death. 
with ftanding, I leaned againft the wall. Aylo was fait afleep, 
and Ayto Heikel and the Greeks curfing their mafter in 
their heart for fpoiling the good fiitpper that Anthule his - 
treafurer had prepared for us. This, as we. afterwards 
found out, the king very well knew, and: refolved to try 
our_patience to the utmoft.. At laft, Ayto Aylo ftole away to » 
bed, and every body elfe after him, except thofe who had. 
accompanied me, who were ready to die. with: thirft, and: 
drop down with -wearinefs.. It was agreed..by thofe that 
were out of fight, to fend Tecla Mariam:to whifper in. the. 
king’s ear, that I had not been well, which -he did, but no- 
notice was taken of it.. It was now pait ten o’clock, and he. 
fhewed no inclination to. go to bed. 
Hitruerto, while. there were ftrangers in the room, he 
had {poken to us by an officer called Kal Hatzé, the voice or: 
word of the king; but now, when there were nine or ten of. 
us, his menial fervants, only prefent,. he uncovered his face: 
and mouth, and:fpoke himfelf. Sometimes it was about Je-- 
rufalem, fometimes about herfes, at othertimes about fhoot-- 
ing; again about the Indies; how: far I could: look into the: 
heavens with my telefcopes : and all. thefe were deliberately: 
and circumftantially repeated; if they -were not pointedly an- 
fwered.' I was abfolutely in»defpair,; and fcarcely able to : 
fpeak .a word, inwardly mourning the hardnefs of -my lot: 
in this my firft preferment, and ‘fincerely praying it might. 
be my laft promotion in-this court... At. laft.all the Greeks - 
began to be impatient, and got out of the corner ‘of the: 
room behind.the.alcove, and ftood.immediately before the 
throne; 
