THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 331 



Simon, after having confirmed Julius in his refolution of 

 murdering the king, his father-in-law, or of dying in de- 

 fence of the Alexandrian faith, if neceflary, perfuaded him 

 to lay afide his defign of marching againft Sela Chriftos, 

 but rather immediately to return back and furprife the 

 king before thefe two joined. 



Julius readily adopted this advice of the Abuna ; while 

 that prieft, to fliew he was fincerc, offered to accompany 

 him in perfon, and fhare his fortune. This was accepted 

 with pleafure by Julius, who next morning received the 

 Abuna's benedicftion at the head of his army, and affifled at 

 a folcmn excommunication pronounced againft the king, 

 Sela Chriftos, the fathers, and all the Catholics at court. 



The king's firft thought, upon hearing thefe proceedings, 

 was to fend fome troops to the affiftance of Sela Chriftos, 

 warning him of his danger ; but, upon hearing meafures 

 were changed, and that the firft defign was againft himfclf, 

 lie marched to meet Julius, and fent a mefliige to Sela Chri- 

 ftos to join him with all poffible fpced ; and, as he was an 

 excellent general, he took his poft fo judicioufly that he 

 could not be forced to fight againft his will till fuccour was 

 brought him, vvdthout great difadvantage to the enemy. 



Julius, fearing the jundion of Sela Chriftos, endeavoured 

 to fight the two armies feparately. For which purpofe he ad- 

 vanced and pitched his camp clofe within fight of that of 

 Socinios, refolving to force him to an engagement. This was 

 thought a very dangerous ineafurc, and was contrary to the 

 advice of all his friends, who faw how judicioufly Socinios 

 had chofen his ground ; and it was knov/n to the meaneft 



T t 2 foldicr 



