He was sitting upon the ground on a carpet, moving his head backwards and forwards, and saying prayers with beads in his hand. I had no good opinion of him from his first appearance, but said, Salam alicum, boldy; this seemed to offend him, as he looked at me with great contempt, and gave me no answer, though he appeared a little disconcerted by my confidence.
"Are you the Cafr, said he, to whom that boat belongs?"
"No, Sir, said I, it belongs to Hagi Hassan."
"Do you think, says he, I call Hagi Hassan, who is a Sheriffe, Cafr?"
"That depends upon the measure of your prudence, said I, of which as yet I have no proof that can enable me to judge or decide."
"Are you the Christian that was at the ruins in the morning? says he."
"I was at the ruins in the morning, replied I, and I am a Christian. Ali Bey calls that denomination of people Nazarani, that is the Arabic of Cairo and Constantinople, and I understand no other."
"I am, said he, going to Girgé, and this holy saint is with me, and there is no boat but your's bound that way, for which reason I have promised to take him with me."
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