THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 197 



Abyffinian clergy ; and the Abuna being now arrived, the 

 king defired of him Hberty to read that book, which he re- 

 fufing, pvit the young king into fo violent a paffion that he 

 called the Abuna Mahometan and Infidel to his face. 



Things growing worfe and worfe between the Portu- 

 guefe and Abyffinians, by the incendiary fpirit of the bru- 

 tifli Bermudcs, from reproaches they came to blows ; and 

 this proceeded fo far, that the Portuguefe one night aflauk- 

 ed the king's tent, where they flew fome, and grievoully 

 wounded others. Upon this, the king, defirous to ellrange 

 him a little from the Portuguefe, fcnt Bcrmudes to the coutv 

 try of the Gafats, where he gave him large appointments, 

 in hopes that the natural turbulence of his temper would 

 involve him in fomc diflicultics. And there he llaid fcven 

 months, oppreffing the poor ignorant people, and frighten- 

 ing them with the noife of his iire-arms. During this period, 

 the king went on- an expedition againft the Galla ; Bcrmu- 

 des then returned to court, where he found that Arius Dias 

 was dead, and a great many of the Portuguefe very well at- 

 tached to the king. But he began his old work of dill'en- 

 tion, infomuch that the king determined to banilh him to 

 a mountain' for life^ . 



Caspar de Suza now commanded the Portuguefe inftead 

 of Arius Dias, a man equally beloved by his own nation and 

 the king. By his perfuafions, and that of Kafmati Robel, 

 the banilhment to the mountain was laid afide; but Bermu- 

 des was privately perfuaded to embark for India while it 

 was yet time ; and accordingly he repaired to Dobarwa, 

 where he remained two years, as it fliould feem, perfedly 

 quiet, negleded, and forlorn ; faying daily mafs to ten Por- 

 tuguefe^ 



