Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/545

 THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 521

a terrible fury, and faid three words to the Fit-Auraris in Galla, who immediately went out ; and, as my fervants told me afterwards, after lending for the feis, or groom, who had brought me the horfe, the firft falutation that he gave him was a blow over the head with a bludgeon, which felled him to the ground, then a dozen more ftrokes, and ordered him to be put in irons, after which he returned in- to the tent.

Fasil, who heard I was hurt, and faw the quantity of blood upon my trowfers, held up his hands with a fhew of horror and concern, which plainly was not counterfeited : he protefted, by every oath he could devife, that he knew no- thing about the matter, and was afleep at the time; that he had no horfes with him worth my acceptance, except the one that he rode, but that any horfe known to be his, driven before me, would be a paffport, and procure me reflect a- mong all the wild people whom I might meet, and for that reafon only he had thought of giving me a horfe. He repeat- ed his protections that he was innocent, and heartily forry for the accident, which, indeed, he appeared to be: he told me the groom was in irons, and that, before many hours palled, he would put him to death. I was perfectly fatisfied with his fincerity. I wifhed to put an end to this difagree- able converfation: "Sir, faid l,as this man has attempted my life, according to the laws of the country, it is I that fhould name the puniihmcnt." " It is very true, replied Fafil, take him, Yagoube, and cut him in a thoufand pieces, if you pleafe, and give his body to the kites." " Are you really fincere in what you fay, faid I, and will you have no after excufes." He fwore folemniy he would not. "Then, faid I, I am a Chriflian; the way my religion teaches me to punifh my enemies is

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