^82 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



The army under Don Chriftopher marched to Arkeeko, 

 where the next day came the governor Don Stephen, and 

 the principal officers of the fleet, and took leave of their 

 countrymen ; and, after receiving the blefling of Don John 

 Bermudes, Patriarch of the Sea^ the governor and reft of the 

 Portuguefe embarked, and returned to India. 



Don Christopher, with the greateft intrepidity, began his 

 march towards Dobarwa, the eafieft entrance into Abyffi- 

 nia, though ftill over rugged and almoft inacceftible moun- 

 tains. The Baharnagafh had orders to attend him, and 

 furnifli this little army with cattle both for their provifion 

 and carriages ; and this he aftually performed. But the car- 

 riages of the fmall train of artillery giving way in this bad 

 road, and there being nobody at hand to affift them with frefh 

 ones in cafe the old failed, Gama made certain carriages of 

 wood after the pattern of thofe they had brought from Por- 

 tugal ; and, as iron was a very fcarce commodity in Abyffi- 

 nia, he made them fplit in pieces fome barrels of old and 

 ufelefs firelocks for the wheels with which they were to 

 draw their artillery. 



The queen, v/ithout delay, came forward to join Don 

 Chriftopher ; who, hearing flic was at hand, went to meet 

 her a league from the city with drums beating and colours 

 •flying, and fainted her with a general difcharge of fire-arms, 

 which terrified her much. Her two fifters accompanied her, 

 and a number of attendants of both fexes. Don Chriftopher, 

 at the head of his foldiers, paid his compliments with equal 

 gallantry and refpecT:. The queen was covered from head 

 to foot, but lifted up her veil, fo that her face could be feen 

 -by him ; and he, on the other hand, appointed a hundred 



mufquetecrs 



