37° 



TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



The eiFedts of thefe oftentatious a6ts of reformation foon. 

 produced confequences which troubled their joy. The A- 

 gows of Lafla, called Tcheratz Agow, who live at the head 

 of the Tacazze, rebelled. The country they occupy is not 

 exteniive, but exceedingly populous, and was fuppofed at 

 that time to be able to bring into the field above 50,000 

 fighting men, befides leaving behind a fufficient number to 

 defend the pafies and llrong-holds of their country, which 

 are by much the moll difficult and inacceffible of any in 

 Abyffinia. They are divided into five clans, Waag, Tettera, 

 Dehaanah, Gouliou, and Louta, each having an independent 

 chief. They are exceedingly warlike ; and, though the coun- 

 try be fo rude and rocky, they have a confiderable number 

 of good horfes ; and are in general reckoned among the 

 braveft and moll barbarous foldiers in Abyffinia. Their 

 province abounds with all forts of provifions, and they rare- 

 ly can be forced to pay any thing to government in the 

 name of tax, or tribute. 



Tecla Georgis was now dead, but the caufe of the re- 

 bellion Hill fubfifled. While governor of Begemder, he had 

 connived at many abufes of his officers who occupied the 

 poUs nearell to Lafla. Thefe being young men, from wan- 

 tonne fs only, without provocation, had made many different 

 inroads, driving away cattle, and committing many other ex- 

 ceffes. The Agows carried their complaints to the governor, 

 who, far from hearing or redreffing their wrongs, juftified 

 the conduct: of his officers, by making inroads himfelf im- 

 mediately after ; but coming to an aiSlion in perfon with that 

 people, he was fliamefully beat, and a great part of his 

 army left dead upon the field. 



This 



