600 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER | 
that hellifh water I drank firft,’—It was, indeed, as cold wa- 
ter as ever tafted. “Come, come, faid I, don’t be peevith, ee 
have but one toaft more to drink.” —“ Peevith, or not peevith, 
replied Strates, a drop of it never again fhall crofs my throat: 
there is no humour in this; no joke; fhew us fomething _ 
pleafant as you ufed to do; but there is no jeft in meddling 
with devil-worfhippers, witchcraft, and inchantments, to 
bring fome difeafe upon one’s felf here, fo far from home 
in the fields. No, no, as many toa{ts in wine as you pleafe, 
or better in brandy, but no more water for Strates. I am 
fure I have done myfelf harm already with thefe follies— 
God forgive me !’—“ Then, faid I, I will drink it alone, and 
you are henceforward unworthy.of the name of Greek; you 
do not even deferve that of a Chriftian.” Holding the full 
cup then to my head, “ Here is to Catharine, emprefs of all 
the Ruffias, and fuccefs to her heroes at Paros; and hear 
my prediction from this altar to-day, Ages fhall not pafs, be- 
fore this ground, whereon I now ftand, will become flou- 
rifhing part of her dominions.” 
He leaped on this a yard from the ground. “If the old — 
gentleman has whifpered you this, fays he, out of the well, 
he has not kept you long time waiting; tell truth and 
fhame the devil, is indeed the proverb, but truth is truth, 
wherever it comes from ; give me the cup, I will drink that 
health though I fhould die.” He then held out both his 
hands. “ Strates, {aid I, be in no fuch hafte ; remember the 
avater is inchanted by devil-worfhippers; there is no jefting 
with thefe, and you are far from home, and in the fields, you. 
may catch fome difeafe, efpecially if you drink the Virgin 
Mary; God forgive you. Remember the horns the fir 
draught produced; they may with this come entirely 
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