DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4020#0122
no TRAVELS IN EGYPT
present. " Our generosity, replied we, will depend upon thy own conduct *
and we will acl: with thee, according as thou wilt act towards us." He appeared
contented with this declaration, and left us afterwards in quiet.
Wednesday, 8th of January.
W E had advanced the whole night, by means of the current. We continued
in like manner till noon, when we were obliged to put to more on account of a
north wind, which was too strong, and hindered us from advancing. We fatt-
ened the barque to the eastern more of the Nile near to
D e n d o u r. We had gone a little more than half the way between Derri and
the cataract.; a pasTage where there is a great deal of disficulty to get provisions.
We find nothing but some sheep, extremely lean, and some goats, which are
worth nothing. Poultry is extremely scarce, and eggs of consequence are not
common. With regard to bread, there is none to be sold. The Barbarins grind
only so much corn as they want to bake; and the cakes that they make, are
never above half baked. The mod disagreeable thing is, that when we meet
with any thing to purchase, the merchandise sold, delivered, and paid for, does
not make a perfect sale. We had a convincing proof of it this day. Our valet
had purchased a sheep, which a Barbarin had brought to the barque with a
design of selling it. After many contests, .he left it for two sevillans, with
which he went away. But in half an hour's time he returned to demand his
sheep, and offered to give back the money he had received. Enraged at his
procedure, we refufed to break the bargain; besides, we wanted the sheep.
Upon that the man was obstinate, made a terrible outcry, and asTembled (o
many people by his noise, that, in order not to come to any extremities, we
acquiesced in his demand, on condition of his returning the two sevillans. The
comedy did not end there. In a moment after he came back with the same sheep,
for which he demanded three sevillans. We would have turned him away.
When he saw that we did not appear to have any desire of his sheep, he pre-
tended to oblige us to take it for the price that had been given him at first.
We hesitated at it. At last we came to an agreement; and the sheep continued
with us for one sevillan and some measures of corn, which was however less in
value than what was given him at the beginning.
Thursday, 9th of January.
A LTHOUGH the north wind was still pretty strong, we did not forbear to
continue our voyage the whole day, by means of the oar and the current; {o
that towards evening we reached the village of
Abohuer. We approached to land; and we had done so in divers places
that day, but without slopping there. The people only asked us, how we had
been permitted to return from Derri ? Some had added, very civilly, that if
the reys would put us ashore amongst them, they would divide the spoil with
him. But at Abohuer twenty men dared to come swimming to our barque, to
ask
present. " Our generosity, replied we, will depend upon thy own conduct *
and we will acl: with thee, according as thou wilt act towards us." He appeared
contented with this declaration, and left us afterwards in quiet.
Wednesday, 8th of January.
W E had advanced the whole night, by means of the current. We continued
in like manner till noon, when we were obliged to put to more on account of a
north wind, which was too strong, and hindered us from advancing. We fatt-
ened the barque to the eastern more of the Nile near to
D e n d o u r. We had gone a little more than half the way between Derri and
the cataract.; a pasTage where there is a great deal of disficulty to get provisions.
We find nothing but some sheep, extremely lean, and some goats, which are
worth nothing. Poultry is extremely scarce, and eggs of consequence are not
common. With regard to bread, there is none to be sold. The Barbarins grind
only so much corn as they want to bake; and the cakes that they make, are
never above half baked. The mod disagreeable thing is, that when we meet
with any thing to purchase, the merchandise sold, delivered, and paid for, does
not make a perfect sale. We had a convincing proof of it this day. Our valet
had purchased a sheep, which a Barbarin had brought to the barque with a
design of selling it. After many contests, .he left it for two sevillans, with
which he went away. But in half an hour's time he returned to demand his
sheep, and offered to give back the money he had received. Enraged at his
procedure, we refufed to break the bargain; besides, we wanted the sheep.
Upon that the man was obstinate, made a terrible outcry, and asTembled (o
many people by his noise, that, in order not to come to any extremities, we
acquiesced in his demand, on condition of his returning the two sevillans. The
comedy did not end there. In a moment after he came back with the same sheep,
for which he demanded three sevillans. We would have turned him away.
When he saw that we did not appear to have any desire of his sheep, he pre-
tended to oblige us to take it for the price that had been given him at first.
We hesitated at it. At last we came to an agreement; and the sheep continued
with us for one sevillan and some measures of corn, which was however less in
value than what was given him at the beginning.
Thursday, 9th of January.
A LTHOUGH the north wind was still pretty strong, we did not forbear to
continue our voyage the whole day, by means of the oar and the current; {o
that towards evening we reached the village of
Abohuer. We approached to land; and we had done so in divers places
that day, but without slopping there. The people only asked us, how we had
been permitted to return from Derri ? Some had added, very civilly, that if
the reys would put us ashore amongst them, they would divide the spoil with
him. But at Abohuer twenty men dared to come swimming to our barque, to
ask