THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, 733 
F askep the prieft, into whofe good graces I had purpofe- 
ty infinuated my(elf, if ever any fpirit had been feen by him? 
He anfwered, without hefitation, Yes; very frequently. He 
faid he had feen the fpirit the evening of the 3d, (juft as the 
fun was fetting) under a tree, which he fhewed me at a dif- 
tance, who told him of the death of a fon, and alfo thata 
party from Fafil’s army was coming; that, being afraid, he 
confulted his ferpent, who ate readily and heartily, from 
which he knew no harm was to befal him from us, I 
afked him if he could prevail.on the fpirit to appear to 
me? He faid he could not venture to make this requeft.. 
If he thought he would appear to me, if, in the evening, I fat 
under that tree alone? he iaid he believed not.. He faid he: 
was of a very graceful figure and appearance; he thought ra~- 
ther older than middle age; but he feldom chofe to look 
at his face; he had a long white beard, his cloaths not 
like theirs, of leather, but like filk,.of the fafhion of the’ 
country. I afked him how he was certain it was not a man? 
he laughed, or rather fneered, fhaking his. head, and fay-. 
ing, No, no, it is no: man, but a fpirit.. Tafked him then 
what fpirit he thought it was? he faid it was of ¢he ri- 
ver, it was God, the Father of mankind; but I never could 
bring him: to be more explicit.. I then defired to know 
why he prayed againft thunder. He faid, becaufe it was 
hurtful to the bees, their great revenue being honey and. 
wax: then, why he prayed for ferpents ?. he replied, Becaufe 
they taught him the coming of good or evil. It feems they 
have all feveral of thefe creatures in their neighbourhood, 
and the richer fort always in their houfes, whom they take. 
_care of, and feed before they undertake a journey, or any 
affair of confequence. They take this animal from his. 
hole, and put butter and milk before him, of which he is. 
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