MEMOIR OF BRUCE. 61 



at Koscam, where he was cordially received by the 

 Iteghe : hut he had heen completely neglected by 

 all except the Moors, who were grateful for the 

 attention he had paid to their children. In the 

 evening of the 13th, the Moorish chief, Negade Has 

 Mahomet, informed him that it was in contempla- 

 tion to appoint him Palambaras, or master of the 

 king's horse, a very distinguished office both for 

 rank and revenue. Bruce remonstrated against all 

 preferment, as tending to defeat the great object of 

 his visit, and requested that his friends would 

 merely use their utmost exertions to induce Ras 

 Michael to provide for his safety while proceeding 

 to explore the source of the Nile. 



For this purpose it was resolved that the letters 

 he had brought from Cairo and Jidda, setting forth, 

 the power and riches of the English nation, and 

 the important character of the traveller, should be 

 communicated to the king and the Has, and a 

 personal interview obtained with both. Old Michael 

 received him with great dignity, cautioned him 

 against the danger " of wandering in solitary places 

 to search for trees and grass, and to sit up all night 

 alone looking at the stars of heaven ;" and told him 

 that he was to be appointed Baalomaal to the king, 

 and commander of the Koccob horse, that situation 

 being one most likely to secure his personal safety 

 and leave him at liberty to prosecute his own 

 designs. 



From the Has he proceeded to the palace " to 

 kiss the ground on his new appointment." The 



