THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 79 



they did not abfolutely join her in her views, fliewed her, 

 however, more encouragement than was ftrialy confiftent 

 with their allegiance. From thefe ihe applied to fome of 

 the principal officers of Hate, and to thofe about the king, 

 the beft affeded to her fon and his fucceffion. Thefe, aware 

 of the evil tendency of her fcheme, firft advifed her, by 

 every means, to lay it afide ; and afterwards, feeing Ihe flill 

 perfillcd, and afraid of a difcovery that would involve her 

 accomplices in it, they difclofed the matter to the kinghim- 

 felf, who refented the intention fo heinoufly, that he order- 

 ed the queen to be beaten with rods till Ihe expired. Her 

 body afterwards was privately buried in a church dedica- 

 ted to the Virgin Mary, not far from Debra Berhan *. 



Nothing had hitherto appeared to criminate the youngs 

 prince. But it was foon told the king, that, after the death 

 of the queen, her fon Bceda Mariam had taken frankincenfc 

 and wax-tapers from the churches, which he employed, at 

 ftated times, in the obfervation of the ufual folcmnities over 

 his mother's grave. The king, having called his fon before 

 him, began to queftion him about what he had heard ; 

 while the prince, without hefitation, gave him a full account 

 of every circumftance, glorying in what, he faid, was his 

 duty, and denying that he was accountable to any man on 

 earth for the marks of affeaion which he fliewed to his. 

 mother. 



The king, confidering his fon's juflification as a reproach 

 made to himfelf for cruelty, ordered the prince, and, with 



him. 



Another church on a hill, one of the quarters of Gondar. It fignlfies the HlU.of. Glory, 

 or Brightnefs, 



