EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 199 
merchants who come to Moccha, in the Bahr Yemeni. I de- 
fire the Sultan will allow me to proceed thither ; and, if it be ne- 
ceflary, grant me his protection, and three or four perfons, 
deferving confidence, to attend me to the frontiers of Kordofan. 
I have a fmall prefent to offer him, confifting of fuch things as 
my circumftances permitted me to bring — I hope he may not 
refufe to receive it, and to grant me the favour I afk," He an- 
fwered — " Merchant, you are welcome to the Dar — The King 
is kind to ftrangers, and he will favour you in all you wifh. 
Whatever you want you have only to demand. He has or- 
dered a fack of wheat and four fheep to be fent you. — At this 
time it is not poffible to pafs through Kordofan — The Sultan 
has a great army there, and when the country fhall be in fub- 
jeCtion to him you may pafs unmolefted. When you are ad- 
mitted to his prefence, you will tell him who has robbed you, 
and what you have loft, and he will caufe it to be reftored." It 
was now the hour of prayer, and when the company com- 
menced their ablutions I retired. 
During three or four days enfuing I fuffered fo violent a re- 
lapfe as to be unable to perform the common offices of life, and 
even to fuppofe that it was nearly at an end. The moment any 
fymptom of amelioration appeared, I fent word to the Melek 
that it was my wifli to be introduced to the Sultan, and then 
as foon as poffible to be difmiffed. No reply was made to this 
meffage ; but the following day he came to the tent with fomc 
of his attendants, and defired to fee the merchandize that I had 
brought with me. As to part of the articles, confifting of 
wearing apparel fuiled to the great, &c. I very readily com- 
plied. 
