2$ TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



as he expeded, renewed their attack that night for the third 

 time. 



The Abyflinians, to a man, are fearful of the night, un-- 

 willing to travel, and, above all, to fight in that feafon, when 

 they imagine the world is in poffeflion of certain genii^ 

 averfe to intercourfe with men, and very vindidive, if even 

 by accident they are ruffled or put out of their way by their 

 interference. This, indeed, is carried to fo great a height^ 

 that no man will venture to throw water out of a bafon 

 upon the ground, for fear that, in ever fo fmall a fpace the 

 water Ihould have to fall, the dignity of fome elf, or fairy^ 

 might be violated. The Moors have none of thefe apprc- 

 henfions, and are accuftomed in the way of trade to travel. 

 at all hours, fbmetimes from neceffity, but often from choice,, 

 to avoid the heat. They laugh, moreover, at the fuperfli- 

 tions of the Abyflinians, and not unfrcquently avail them- 

 lelves of them. A verfe of the Koran, fewed up in leather,, 

 and tied round their neck or their arms, fecures them from 

 all thefe incorporeal enemies ^ and, from this known ad- 

 vantage, if other circumftances are favourable, they never 

 fail to fight the Abyflinians at or before the dawn of the 

 niorning, for in this country there is no twilight. 



The Moors did not, in this inftancc, difappoint the king's 

 expe(5lation ; as th^y, with all poflible fecrecy, marched to^ 

 the attack of the camp, while the king, having rcfreflicd- 

 his troops, put himfelf in motion to intercept them ; and 

 they were now arrived, and engaged in fcveral places with 

 very great vigour. The camp was in apparent danger, 

 though vigoroufly defended. At this moment the king, 

 with his frefli troops, fell violently upon their rear ; and, it 



I bein;^ 



*^i 



