TIFTE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 14^, 



catition, however, proved fuperfluous ; for, a few days after, 

 an epidemical fever began to manifeft itfelf, which, in eight- 

 and-forty hours, carried oil Matthew, and foon after Pereira, 

 the fervant of Don Roderigo ; fo that no opportunity now 

 offered for an explanation with the king about his or the 

 emprefs's promife of ceding one-third of the kingdom to 

 the Portuguefe in cafe the king would fend them fuccour. 

 Terrified by the fever, and the bad profpecft of the weather,, 

 tliey refumed their journey. 



The monaftery of Bifan (to which they were now going) 

 is fo called from the great quantity of water which is eve- 

 rywhere found about it. The fimilitude of found has made 

 Poncet*, and feveral other travellers, call it tlie Monaftery 

 of the Vifion ; but Bifan (water) is its true name, being 

 plentifully fupplied with that moil valuable clement. A 

 number of lakes and rivers are interfpcrfcd through its 

 plains ; while abundant fprings, that are never dry, flow 

 from the top of each rock, dalhing their rills againft the 

 rugged projections of the chffs below. 



The monaftery of Bifan, properly fo called, is the head of 

 fix others in the compafs of 26 miles ; each convent placed, 

 like a tower on the top of its own rock. That upon which 

 Bifan is fituated is very high, and almoft perpendicular ; 

 and from this rifes another ftill higher than ir, which, im~ 

 lefs to its inhabitants, is perfectly inacceffiblc. It is, on every 

 iide, furrounded with wood, interfpcrfcd with fruit-trees of 

 many different kinds, as well of thofe known as of thofe 



unknov/ni 



*^'^de Poncei's travels, in bis return throupli.Tigrc, p. ii6. London edit, ixiuo. i/C-j, 



