THE SOURCE OF THE N I L'E. -^^3^5 



der him, and by his orders, availing himfelf with great 

 attention of all the advantages the ground could afford him. 

 The ballia, confident in the fuperior valour of his troops, 

 thought, now he had got the king between him and the ri- 

 ver, that he would eaiily that day finiili Sertza DengheFs 

 life and reign. 



The battle began with the mofl: determined refolution 

 and vigour on both fides. The Abyffinian foot drove back 

 the Turkifli infantry ; and the king, difmounting from his 

 horfe, with his lance and fliield in his hand, and charging 

 at their head, animated them to preferve that advantage. 

 On the other hand, the baflia, who had foon put to flight 

 part of the Abyfllnian horfe with whom he had engaged, 

 fell furioufly upon the foot commanded by the king, the 

 Turks making a great carnage among them with their 

 fabres, and the affair became but doubtful, when Robcl, 

 gentleman of the bed-chamber to the king, who commanded 

 the pike-men onhorfeback,partoftheking'shoufchcld troops, 

 feeing his mafter's danger, charged the Turkilh horfe where 

 he faw the baflia in perfon, and, clearing his way, broke his 

 pike upon an officer of the baflia who carried the ftandard 

 immediately before him, and threw him dead at his feet. 

 Being without other arms, he then drew the fliort crooked 

 knife which the Abyffinians always carry in their girdle, 

 and, pufliing up his horfe clofe before the baflia could re- 

 cover from his furprife, he plunged it in his throat, fo that 

 he expired inrtantly. So unlooked-for a fpe(51;acle llruck a 

 panic into the troops. The Turkifli horfe firfl turned their 

 backs, and a general route followed. 



Vol. II, Gg Tut 



