THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 177 



But intelligence was now given to the Moors with much 

 kfs puncStuality and alacrity than formerly. So generally 

 did the king pofTefs the affedtions of the country-people, 

 that no information came to the confederate army till the 

 next day after his return, when, early in the morning, he 

 difpatched one of the Moorifli prifoners that he had taken 

 three days before, and fparcd for the purpofe, carrying with 

 liim the head of Jonathan, and a full account of the havock 

 to which he had been a witncfs. 



Tins mcflcnger bore alfo the king's defiance to the Moors, 

 whom he challenged, under the odious epithets they de- 

 ferved, to meet him; and then adually to fhew he was in 

 earneft, marched towards them with his army, which he 

 formed in order of battle. But tho' they flood under arms 

 for a confiderable time, whilil fcvcral invitations to fmgle 

 combat were fent from the Chriflian horfcmen, as their cuf- 

 tcm is, before they engage, or when their camps are near 

 each other, yet the Moors were fo aftoniflied at what had hap- 

 pened, and what they law now before them, that not one offi- 

 cer would advife the riflving a battle, nor any one foldier ac- 

 cept of the challenge offered. The king then returned to 

 his camp, diftributcd the whole booty among his foldiers, 

 and rcfrellied them, prefei^ving a proper flation to co\er the 

 wounded, whom he fent off' to places of fccurity. 



The kingwas in the countiy of Samcn in the neighbour- 

 hood of Lafta. He then decamped and pafled the river Ta- 

 cazze, that he might be nearer thofe diffricls of which the 

 Turks had poffeilcd themfelves. In this march all forts of 

 people joined the vicftorious army. Thofe that had revolted, 

 and many that had npoilatized, came without fceir ai>d fur- 



VoL. II. Z rendered 



