135 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



probably, lain during their lives, had they not been freed by 

 the interceflion of Matthew. 



David (as I have before obferved) was only eleven years 

 old * when he was placed upon the throne ; and, at his in- 

 auguration, took the name of Lebna Denghel, or the Vir- 

 gin's Frankincenfe ; then that of Etana Denghel, or the 

 Myrrh of the Virgin ; and after that, of Wanag Segued, 

 which fignifies Reverenced, or Feared, among the Lions, with 

 whom, towards the laft of his reign, he relided in wilds and 

 mountains more than with men. 



During this minority, there was peace with Mahomet 

 king of Adel. MalTudi ftill continued his depredations ; 

 and, by his liberality, had formed ftrong connexions with 

 the Turks in Arabia. In return for the number of flaves 

 whom he had fent to Mecca, a green fdk llandard, (that of 

 Mahomet and of the Faith), and a tent of black velvet, em- 

 broidered with gold, were fent him by the Sherriffe, the 

 greateft honour a Mahometan could poflibly receive, and 

 he was alfo made Shekh of the ifland of Zeyla, which was 

 delivering the key of Abyffinia to him. 



It was not till David had arrived at fixteen years of age 

 that the conilant fuccefs of MaiFudi, the honours bellowed 

 upon him, and the gain which accrued from all his expe- 

 ditions, had at laft determined the king of Adel to break 

 the peace with Abyffinia, and join him. Thefe princes, 

 with the whole Mahometan force, had fallen together upon 



Dawaro, 



* Vid. David's letter to Emanuel, king of Portugal 1524. 



