THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 729
language, though fhe comprehended very eafily the figns that we made. This nymph of the Nile was called by nick- name Irepoae, which fignifies fome animal that deftroys ■mice, but whether of the ferret or fnake kind I could not perfectly underftand ; fometimes it was one and fometimes another, but which it was 1 thought of no great import- ance.
The firft and fecond day, after difpofing of fome of our flock in purchaf'es, lhe thought herlelf obliged to render us an account, and give back the refidue at night to Woldo, with a proteftation that fhe had not flolen or kept any thing to herielf. 1 looked upon this regular account- ing as an ungenerous treatment of our benefactress. I cal- led on Woldo, and made him produce a parcel that contain- ed the fiame with ch< trfi >nYmodities we hid given her ; this connied of beads, antimony^ fmalJ fciffars, knives, and large needle ; I then brought out a pacquet of the fame th it had noi been broken^ ai i her they were intended
to be diifaribmed among her fi iends, and that we expected no account from her; on the contrary, that, after fhe had bellowed thcfe, to buy us neceflaries, and for any purpofes fhe pleafed, I had ftill as many more to leave her at parting, for the trouble fhe had given herfelf. I often thought the head of the little favage would have turned with the pof- feffion of fo much riches, and fo great confidence, and it was impoffible to be fo blinded, as not to fee that I had already- made great progrefs in her affections. To the number of trifles I had added one ounce of gold, value about fifty mil- lings fieri ing, which I thought would defray our expences all the time we flaid ; and having now perfectly arranged Vol. III. 4 Z the
