Ageeb had been feat to by the k in g , to collect all his forces
among the Arabs, and join him between Herbagi an4 Sen-
naar. It wasforefeen, that i f this was true, a revolution o f
fome kind was near at hand, probably the depofing and
death o f the k in g, and that, in the interim, all fubordina-
tion would ceafe in the town, and every man do w hat Teemed
good in his own eyes.
H a o i B e l a l had, befides, told me that Shekh Fiflele o f
Teawa had been feveral days in the palace with the king, and
had informed him that I was laden with money, befides a
quantity o f cloth o f gold, the richeft he had ever feeji,
which the k in g o f Abyflinia had deftined as a prefent to
him, but which I had perverted to my own ufe : He added,
that the k in g had exprefied himfe lf in a very threatenin
g manner, and that he was very much afraid I was not
in fafety i f Shekh Adelan was gone from Aira. Upon this
' I defired Hagi Belal to go to the palace, and obtain for me
an audience o f the king. In vain he reprefented to me the
rifk I ran by this meafure; I perfifted in m y refolution, I
was tied to the flake. To fly wasimpofiible, and I had often
overcome fuch dangers by braving them.
He went then unwillin gly to the palace. Whether he
delivered the mefiage I know not, but he returned faying,
the k in g was bufy, and could not be feen. . I had, in the interim,
fent Soliman to the Gindi, or Sid el Coom, telling him
my difficulties, and the news I had heard. In place o f returning
an anfwer, he came diredtly to me h im fe lf; and
was fitting with me when Hagi Belal returned, who, I
thought, appeared fome what difconcerted at the meeting.
4 He
He told me the ftory o f Abou Kalec was falfe, as alfo that o f
Wed Ageeb ; but it was really true that Shekh Adelan had
left Aira, and was then encamped at Shaddly. He chid Hag
i Belal very fharply, afking him, what good all that tittle
tattle did either to him or mef and infinuated pretty plainly,
that he believed Hagi Belal did this in concert with the king,
to extort fome prefent from me. “ What is the difference to
Yagoube, fays he, i f Shekh Adelan be at Aira, three hours
journey from Sennaar, or at Shaddly, five ? Is • not Kittou
in town ? and ihall not I bring every Have o f the k in g to
join him upon the firft requifition ? At a time like this, w ill
you perfuade me, Hagi Belal, the k in g is not rather thinkin
g o f his own fafety than o f robbing Yagoube i I do notwiih
that Yagoube fhould flay a minute longer at Sennaar; but,
till fome way be found to get neceflaries for his journey, it
is not in the k in g ’s power to hurt him in the houfe where
he is ; and he is much fafer in Sennaar than he could be
any where out o f it. Before the k in g attempts to hurt Yagoube,
as long as he flays in Adelan’s houfe, he w ill think
twice o f it, while any o f the three brothers are alive. But I
w ill fpeak to Kittou in the evening, and the k in g too, i f I
have an opportunity. In the mean time, do you, Yagoube,
put your mind at reft, defend yourfelf i f any body attempts
to enter this houfe, and do what you will to thofe that ihall
force themfelves into it.” I then attended him down flairs,
with many profeifions o f gratitude ; and at the door he faid,
in a very low voice, to me, “ Take care o f yon Belal, he is
a dog, worfe than a Chriftian.”
I r e s o l v e d at all events to leave Sennaar, but I had not
yet founded Hagi Belal as to money-affairs. It was now
V ol. IV. | , 3 QL - 'th e