DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4020#0061
AND NUBIA.
whilsl I was employed on this work, I perceived that about fifty Arabs had sur-
rounded us j whereas at our arrival we had not seen so much as one, neither near
nor at a distance. At first, however, they contented themselves with saluting us,
and in looking upon us with a sort of amazement. They drew the nearest to
me; and they were curious to see, what I was doing.
When they had paned half an hour with us, looking upon us, they came at
last to demand the bakssch^ that is to say, money ; but we thought it proper to
refuse them, because it might have occasioned bad consequences. Offended at
this refusal, they began to grow insolent, and to make a violent noise. During
that time, I kept myself quiet, continually employed on my design. I left to the
xnissionary fathers the trouble of endeavouring to appease them, and to our ser*
vants the liberty of returning their noise, in the best manner they could. These
servants were moreover supported by the janissary, who had good lungs, and a
good slick, with which, however, he took great care not to strike any one.
During this tumult, there came up a man on horse-back; he was preceded
by another, armed with a long pike. The first, to whom the Arabs gave the
title of schech, approached us, and, with an air of authority, demanded of the
Jew valet what we were doing there, and who had given us permisiion to
come thither ? The Jew asked him insolently, in return, what was that to him,
and who had given him permisiion to ask such a question, with so much boldness?
By this means they were got to high words, and in an instant all the company
were engaged in squabbling. Upon which the schech declared to us, that if we
did not go away immediately, he would drive us away by main force.
At this menace the janislary drew up close to him, and told him, by way of
confidence, that he should take great care not to touch us, because we were well
provided with fire arms, and understood perfectly how to manage them. He
added, that it might easily happen, if he did not retire immediately, some one of
us might take it into his head to fire at him, which would certainly lay him dead
on the spot.
This serious discourse made the schech thoughtful; and as it happened,
that one of our people knocked down, at that instant, a little bird with a fowlino-
piece, our gentleman appeared quite confounded. He seemed, however, very
soon to recover from his fright. He told us plainly, that if we did not go away,
he would go and burn our barque, and pillage all that was there.
Our janissary could not digest this menace. He judged that the schech was
not so mischievous as he would be thought to be. He put himself into a furious
pailion, and swore, that if he dared to attempt the leasf. thing against us, he
Would himself be the man to kill him like a dog.
The schech, at these words, began to smile, wished us a good day, and with-
drew, followed by all the Arabs. He left us, however, in an uncertainty, whe-
ther he would not go to the barque, or endeavour to cut oflour return to it. Yet
in the main we were well enough pleased to find ourselves delivered from such
disagreeable company.
Vol. II. O I had
49
whilsl I was employed on this work, I perceived that about fifty Arabs had sur-
rounded us j whereas at our arrival we had not seen so much as one, neither near
nor at a distance. At first, however, they contented themselves with saluting us,
and in looking upon us with a sort of amazement. They drew the nearest to
me; and they were curious to see, what I was doing.
When they had paned half an hour with us, looking upon us, they came at
last to demand the bakssch^ that is to say, money ; but we thought it proper to
refuse them, because it might have occasioned bad consequences. Offended at
this refusal, they began to grow insolent, and to make a violent noise. During
that time, I kept myself quiet, continually employed on my design. I left to the
xnissionary fathers the trouble of endeavouring to appease them, and to our ser*
vants the liberty of returning their noise, in the best manner they could. These
servants were moreover supported by the janissary, who had good lungs, and a
good slick, with which, however, he took great care not to strike any one.
During this tumult, there came up a man on horse-back; he was preceded
by another, armed with a long pike. The first, to whom the Arabs gave the
title of schech, approached us, and, with an air of authority, demanded of the
Jew valet what we were doing there, and who had given us permisiion to
come thither ? The Jew asked him insolently, in return, what was that to him,
and who had given him permisiion to ask such a question, with so much boldness?
By this means they were got to high words, and in an instant all the company
were engaged in squabbling. Upon which the schech declared to us, that if we
did not go away immediately, he would drive us away by main force.
At this menace the janislary drew up close to him, and told him, by way of
confidence, that he should take great care not to touch us, because we were well
provided with fire arms, and understood perfectly how to manage them. He
added, that it might easily happen, if he did not retire immediately, some one of
us might take it into his head to fire at him, which would certainly lay him dead
on the spot.
This serious discourse made the schech thoughtful; and as it happened,
that one of our people knocked down, at that instant, a little bird with a fowlino-
piece, our gentleman appeared quite confounded. He seemed, however, very
soon to recover from his fright. He told us plainly, that if we did not go away,
he would go and burn our barque, and pillage all that was there.
Our janissary could not digest this menace. He judged that the schech was
not so mischievous as he would be thought to be. He put himself into a furious
pailion, and swore, that if he dared to attempt the leasf. thing against us, he
Would himself be the man to kill him like a dog.
The schech, at these words, began to smile, wished us a good day, and with-
drew, followed by all the Arabs. He left us, however, in an uncertainty, whe-
ther he would not go to the barque, or endeavour to cut oflour return to it. Yet
in the main we were well enough pleased to find ourselves delivered from such
disagreeable company.
Vol. II. O I had
49