We had some difficulty in making the
selection. At length we amassed a variety of things, of the value of one
hundred and twenty-two mahboubs prime cost, or about fifty-two reals
value here.
At the Asar (or 3 P.M.) I dressed, and went off to see the great man,
accompanied by my German colleagues. On entering the village, I at once
recognised in a long mud-shed the Sultan's palace. It seemed, indeed, a
palace compared with the circular hasheesh huts by which it was
surrounded; and in that direction, accordingly, we bent our steps. On
gaining admission, we found the mighty potentate half-dozing on his
couch. He woke up as we entered, and sitting upon his hams, politely
excused himself for being found _en deshabille_. To remedy this state of
things as much as possible, he immediately wound round his head a black
band or turban; and having thus improved his toilet, bade us sit down. I
took my place very near him, and observed his appearance with some
interest. He was a venerable-looking black, but, like most of the
Kailouees, had something of an European cast of features. They say he is
about seventy-eight years old, and manifestly suffers the infirmities of
that great age.
The dialogue was begun by the Sultan asking us how we were in health,
and whether we had not now more quiet than down on the road? Then he
added, that he was himself very poorly, but that at this season of the
year this was nothing uncommon.
Pages:
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284