THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 369
1 WAS very fenfiblc that I was playing a farce upon which a very great deal depended. Though in thefe countries the daughters of minifters and great men are given to in- feriors, this is only with a view of having them provided for ; they are fpies upon their hufbands, and keep up the confequence of their birth in their hu{ba:)d's houfc even after they are married, and this I underllood was precifely the cafe with Adelan's daughter. Notwithftand- ing the bad character I had of Fidele, I knew he durfl not rob me, without murdering me alfo ; and I was fure he did not dare to do either, if it was once known that I was arrived in the dominions of Sennaar ; and this his wife could inform Adelan her father of, whenever flie plea- fed. This was then the full Hep towards fafety.
I SHALL not trouble my reader with a repetition of my medical inquiries, nor the complaints of ladies, which arc properly fecrets with me, though at the diftance of At- l)ara. The ipecacuanha operation gave high fatisfaclion. It vv^as now happily terminated ; but, whilft it was admi- niftering, i obferved the figure, who till then appeared co- vered, had unveiled her face and head down to her flioul- ders ; and foon after one of the Haves, her attendant, as in play, pulled off the remaining part of the veil that cover- - ed her. I was aftoniilied at the fight of fo much beauty. Her hair, which was not woolly, but long, and in great quantity, was braided and twilled round like a ci'own up- on the top of her head, ornamented with beads, and the fmall white Guinea-lliells, commonly known here by the name of blackamoor's teeth. She had plain rings of gold in her ears, and four rows of gold chain about her neck, to which was hung a number of fcquins pierced;
Vol IV. 3 A the
