THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. lor 



ratisfaftion, though now in the midft of the torrid zone, he 

 found the country abounded with large rivers, and with the 

 moft luxuriant verdure. He found a civil war in the nation 

 of JalofFes. Bemoy, a prince of that nation, had, in a mino- 

 rity, intruded himfctf into the throne of his brothers, 

 (to whom he was but half blood), by the addrefs of his 

 mother. The eldefl of the three brothers preferved the 

 fliadow of government, and feemed to favour the ufurpa- 

 tion. Bemoy had improved that interval by cultivating the 

 Portuguefe friendfliip to the uttermoft. He promifed every 

 thing; a place to build their city on the continent, which 

 the king very much defired ; and to be a convert to Chrif- 

 tianity, the only thing the king wilhed ftill more. His eld- 

 eft brother dying, the king was brifkly prefTcd by the two 

 younger, and fteadily fupported by the Portuguefe, from 

 whom he had borrowed large fums; but ftill appearing to 

 trifle with the day of his converfion, and the day of his pay- 

 ment, the king ordered the Portuguefe to withdraw from 

 his country, and leave him to his fortune. The lofs of a 

 battle with his brothers foon reduced him to the neceflity 

 of flying acrofs the deferts to Arguim, and thence to Por- 

 tugal, with a number of his followers. He was received by 

 the king of Portugal with all the honours due to a fovereign 

 prince, and baptifed at Li(bon, the king and (luecn being 

 his fponfors. 



Great feftivals and illuminations were made at this ac- 

 quifition to Chriftianity ; and Bemoy appeared at thofe fefti- 

 vals as the greateft ornament of them, performing feats 

 of horfemanfliip never before praclifed in Portugal. The 

 modefty and propriety of his. converfation and behaviour 

 iaprivate, and the great dignity and eloquence which he 



^ difglayed^ 



