THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, 308 
brought my tranfgreflion to my mind, and | hurried out of 
the forbidden place in an inftant, 
I met feveral of my acquaintance, who accompanied me 
to the king’s tent. It was now noon; a plentiful dinner or 
breakfaft was waiting, which IJ had abfolutely refufed to 
partake of till I had feen.the king. Thinking all was a fecret 
that had pafled at Ozoro Efther’s, I lifted the curtain behind: 
the king’s chair, and coming round till nearly oppofite to: 
him, I was about to perform the ufual proftration, when in 
the very inftant the young prince George, who'was ftanding 
oppofite to me on the king his brother’s mght hand, ftept for- 
ward and laid his hand acrofs my breaft as if to prevent 
me from kneeling; then turning to the king, who was 
fitting as ufual in his chair in the alcove, Sir, fays he, be- 
fore you allow Yagoube to kneel, you fhould firft provide 
two men to lift him up again, for Ozoro Efther has given 
him fo much wine that he will never be able to do it hime 
felf.. 
THoveu it was almoft impoflible to: avoid laughing, it 
was vifible the king conftrained himfelf, and was not plea~ 
fed, The drink had really this good effect, that it made me: 
lefs abafhed’ than I otherwife fhould have been at this un-- 
expected fally of the young prince. I was, however, fome- 
what difconcerted, and made my proftration perhaps lefs: 
gracefully than at another time, and this raifed the merri- 
ment of thofe in waiting, as attributing it to: intoxication. 
Upon rifing, the king moft gracioufly ftretched out his hand! 
for me to kifs. While I was holding his hand, he faid. to: 
his brother, coldly, Surely if you thought him drunk, you 
muft have expected a reply; in that cafe, it would have 
3D» beer 
