38 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



in the fame bufmefs with themfelves, who fhewed therti his 

 army encamped at no confidcrable diftance, and in very- 

 great numbers. Upon this they returned in all hafte to the 

 king to apprize him of his danger, and he fent immediately 

 fome horfe to difcover the number, fituation, and deligns of 

 the enemy; above all, if poiTible, to take a prifoner, for the 

 huntfmen had put theirs to death, that he might be no in- 

 cumbrance to them upon their return. 



The king's fever was now gone, but his flrengrh was 

 not returned ; and, the neceility of the cafe requiring it, he 

 attempted to rife from his bed and put on his armour, but, 

 fainting, fell upon his face with weaknefs, while his fer- 

 vant was girding his fword. 



The horfe now returned, and confirmed the tidings the 

 huntfmen had brought ; they had found the Moorifh army 

 in the fame place it was firft difcovered, by the water-fide ; 

 but the account of their number and appearance was fuch 

 that the whole army was llruck with a panic. The king's 

 \vives (as the hiiiorian fays, by which it fliould appear he 

 had more than one) endeavoured to perfuade him not to 

 rifk a battle in the v/cak ftate of health he then was, but to 

 retire from this low, unwholefome country, and occupy the 

 palFes that lead into Upper Abyllinia, fo as to make it im- 

 poilible for the enemy to follow him into Shoa. 



The king having waflicd and refreflied himfelf, with a 

 countenance full of confidence, fat down at the door of his 

 tent : whilft officers and fokliers crowded about him, he calm- 

 ly, in the way of converfation, told them, — " That, being 

 " men of experience as they were, he was furprifcd they 



2 " ihould 



