Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 4.djvu/392

 3(54 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER

On the 28th, in the evenhig I went to the Shekh's houfe with the medicine, and it anfwered all our expe6lations. I obferved, however, when the cup with the ipecacuanha was in his hands, that they trembled, and alfo his under lip. He was apparently at that time under fome apprehen- fion, which his confcience fuggefted, of what it was in my power to do to him. In thefe countries they have an eme- tic which they take occafionally, which operates fo violently, that it often throws them into convulfions. What it may be I know not. Some fay it is the fmall feed of a flower like the poppy ; fome, the pith of a tree, after it has been dried and rubbed into a fine powder by the hand ; whatever it may be, it is fo fevere in proportion to the ftrongeft doze of ipecacuanha, that the latter feemed but like a fport in compariibn. The cafe that warm water gc- cafioned, which he had never experienced before, was fo unexpedled, that he could hardly be fatisfied with drinking. After this was over, all was thankfulnefs, and promifes of doing whatever I fliould defire of him, provided I would adminider two or three dozes more to him, and, if he for- warded me quickly, leave him fome of the powder, with direcflions how to take it in my abfence. This I engaged faithfully to do, and we parted apparently the befl friends in the world.

The 29th, early in the morning, before fun-rife, I had a melTage from him again by the Kaiya, to whom I gave coffee at the door while I was dreffmg. He told me, the Shekh was wonderfully well, and never in fuch health and fpirits in his life, but defired that I would come to him in the evening, for two of his wives were ill of the fame diforder that he had. 1 excufed myfelf, under pretence that it was

Sundav,

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