Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, Volume 3 (of 5): In the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772 and 1773Bruce, James
History
Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, Volume 3 (of 5): In the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772 and 1773
Bruce, James
Egypt -- Description and travel; Ethiopia -- Description and travel; Ethiopia -- History; Natural history -- Ethiopia; Nile River
On the morrow Petros was really taken ill, and feverish, from a cold
and fatigue, and fright. Aylo and I went to Koscam, and, for a fresh
amusement to him, I shewed him the manner in which the Arabs use their
firelocks on horseback; but with this advantage of a double-barrelled
gun, which he had never before seen. I shot also several birds from the
horse; all which things he would have pronounced impossible if they had
been only told him. He arrived at Koscam full of wonder, and ready to
believe I was capable of doing every thing I undertook.
We were just entering into the palace-door, when we saw a large
procession of monks, with the priests of Koscam at their head, a large
cross and a picture carried with them, the last in a very dirty,
gilt frame. Aylo turned aside when he saw these; and, going into the
chamberlain’s apartment, called Ayto Heikel, afterwards a great friend
and companion of mine. He informed us, that three great saints from
Waldubba, one of whom had neither ate nor drank for twenty years of
his life, had promised to come and cure Welled Hawaryat, by laying a
picture of the Virgin Mary and the cross upon him, and therefore they
would not wish me to be seen, or meddle in the affair. “I assure you,
Ayto Aylo,” said I, “I shall strictly obey you. There is no sort of
reason for my meddling in this affair with such associates. If they can
cure him by a miracle, I am sure it is the easiest kind of cure of any,
and will not do his constitution the least harm afterwards, which is
more than I will promise for medicines in general; but, remember what
I say to you, it will, indeed, be a miracle, if both the father and
the daughter are not dead before to-morrow night.” We seemed all of us
satisfied in one point, that it was better he should die, than I come
to trouble by interfering.
After the procession was gone, Aylo went to the Iteghè, and, I suppose,
told her all that happened since he had seen her last. I was called in,
and, as usual, prostrated myself upon the ground. She received that
token of respect without offering to excuse or to decline it. Aylo
then said, “This is our gracious mistress, who always gives us her
assistance and protection. You may safely say before her whatever is in
your heart.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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