HO WAKIL. 
187 
practice on the coast. After this introduction^ the chief, who was 
distinguished only by the superior quality of his garment, com- 
menced a regular set of enquiries, addressing himself to Wursum 
as our spokesman ; while our respective parties continued very 
ceremoniously drawn up opposite to each other in perfect silence : 
" Kaif untah how do you do Y' the answer was Tiben," 
" well." They then went on, El amd u'l illah,'' thanks be 
to God Kulo tiben r is all well Ewau tiben," yes, 
well \ ' Muntiyu?" " where are you from?" Min Mocha, 
baden, min Amphila," " from Mocha; last from Amphila." 
" Aish kubber ?" What news Taiib kubber/' Good 
news." El amd '1 illah ;" God be praised." After which fol- 
lowed a series of questions respecting the news from Mocha, from 
Hodeida ? from Amphila ? and from Habesh ?" to each of which 
Wursum replied by a detailed account of all he knew from these 
respective places, not forgetting in his narrative to mention the 
price of ghee, j uwarry, cloth, &c. He also informed them of our 
friendship with Alii Goveta and the Danakil, on hearing which 
they repeatedly exclaimed, God be praised, that's well." 
Silence at length ensuing, Wursum asked if they had done ; 
and on being answered in the affirmative, I was greatly amused to 
hear him formally go over in return a string of questions very 
similar to the preceding, only varying the places of enquiry, 
commencing with Kaif untah ?" How do you do?" and end- 
ing with what news from Jidda ? Suakin ? Massowa ? Dahalac ? 
and Arena ?" After they had satisfactorily answered all these 
interesting enquiries, and told us to a fraction of a commassi 
the current price of every petty article of trade, they once more 
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