^72 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER
not three oiances of gold in all my pofTciTion. It is of no:. ufe to me in my country ; take all my cafes and boxes,., and fearch them ; the gold that you find there I freely give you, and without refcrve. As for the cloth of gold, \vi)ich I- have, it is a prefent from the king of Abyflinia to the king of Sennaar, to be delivered with his letter. I have likewife a prefent to Shekh Adelan, with a letter to him ; and fomc other trifles for Sennaar, prefents to people in governmci\t : look at them; if you think they are too great, apply to your own ufe what part of them you pleafe, and account with the king and Adelan for what you take from them, with vour reafon for fo doing. 7 he little money I may want at tjennaar, Hagi Belal, Metical Aga's fervant from. Mecca, will furnifh me with, and, upon my letter, will take payment for the amount from my countrymen on board the Eafl India; fliips at Jidda. As for force, do not deceive yourfelf ; if all, thofe cafes were gold it never would be in your power to open, oneof them. Do not think that I am a girl or a child ; con- fiderthe danger and difficulties I have paired,undcr God's pro- tedion only, and by my own force and courage : I am well armed, and have brave men about me, fo try your force when you pleafe. I dare fay you will keep yourfelf out of danger, to give an account of your brave exploit to the king of Sennaar afterwards." I then arofe, and faid, "Good evening." The Shekli called after me to ftay. I faid, " Ano- ther time ;" and immediately left him.
We had hitherto been fupplied plentifully with provi- fions from the Shckh's houfe once a-day. When I came home at night, I found that after Magrib, which is after fun-- jfet, a large (lore had been fent by the ladies from the Shekh's houfe, as acknowledgements for the attention I had
paid.
