THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. jojr 



to her- that the other part of her fubjeds was occupied 

 in keeping and rearing great herds of cattle for the mar- 

 kets of Sennaar and other towns, as well as camels for the 

 caravans of Mecca, Cairo, and Sudan, both employments 

 being of public benefit ; and, therefore, as Ihe did harm to 

 none, fhe had a greater reafon to wonder what could be his 

 motive of fending fo far from home to feek her, and. her 

 harmlefs fubjeds, in the defert, with fuch efFufion of mno- 

 cent blood." 



The king hearing this fagacious anfwer, which was fol- 

 lowed by many others of the kind, was extremely plcafed ; 

 but alTured her, " That he intended to maintain his ancient 

 right both over her fubjeas,and the Arabs under Wed Ageeb, 

 who was now his vafTal, in all the country from Fazuclo to 

 Suakem ; that he confidercd the Funge as ufurpers, and 

 would certainly treat them as fuch." After this Socinios dif- 

 xniffed the queen, and gave her alTurances of protedion, 

 having firft cloathed her as his vafTal in filk and damalk, af- 

 ter the fafliion of women in her own country. 



But it was not long before this train of fuccefs met with 

 a confiderable check. Very foon afterwards, the king being 

 in Gojam, a meffage was brought to him from the principal 

 people of Narea, informing him plainly, « That Bcnero, ha- 

 ving become cruel and avaricious, put many people to death 

 wantonly, and many more for the fake of their money ; ha- 

 ving taken from them their wives and daughters, either for 

 his own pleafure, or to fell them as Haves to the Galla— they 

 had at laft murdered him, and chofen a man in his room 

 diftinguiflied for his virtue and goodnefs." 



Vol. II, Qjl '^"^ 



