Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 1.djvu/172

68 fore answered instantly, "You shall be very welcome, upon my head be it." Upon this the miserable wretch, half naked, laid down a dirty clout containing about ten dates, and the Shekh's servant that had attended him returned in triumph.

this trifling circumstance, to shew how essential to humane and civil intercourse presents are considered to be in the east; whether it be dates, or whether it be diamonds, they are so much a part of their manners, that, without them an inferior will never be at peace in his own mind, or think that he has a hold of his superior for his favour or protection.