310 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



no farther than Narea, and return, the other four to embark 

 with him for hidia. 



The governor detained the fmall company till he procu- 

 red guides from among the Shats and Gallas, barbarous na- 

 tions near Narea, and eaftward of it, from whom he took 

 hoftages for properly protecfling this caravan in their way, 

 paying them well, as an encouragement for behaving ho- 

 neftly and faithfully. 



On the 15th of April they had fet out from Umbarma, 

 then the head-quarters of Sela Chriftos, who gave them for 

 guards forty men armed with fhields and javelins. Nor 

 was it long before their difficulties began. Travelling about 

 two days to the weft, they came to Senaffe, the principal vil- 

 lage or habitation of the Pagan Gongas, very recently in 

 rebellion, and nearly deftroyed, rather than fubdued. To 

 the firft demand of fafe condu(5t, they anfwered in a man- 

 ner which lliewed that, far from defending the travellers 

 from others, they were refolved themfelves to fall upon 

 them, and rob or murder them in the way. One Portuguefe 

 offered himfelf to return with Fernandes to complain of 

 thefe favages to Sela Chriftos ; who, upon their arrival, dif- 

 patched three officers with troops to chaftife thefe Pagans, 

 and convey the ambaffador and his attendants out of their 

 territory and reach. 



The Gongas, being informed that a complaint was fent 

 to Sela Chriftos, which would infallibly be followed by a 

 detachment of troops, gave the ambaffador the fafeguard 

 he demanded, which carried him in three days to Mine *. 



This 



* Which Cgnifies the Paflage, 



