392 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



hill above them, faw their opportunity, and fell fuddenly 

 upon the fpoilers, and cut all the foldiers of Begenider to 

 pieces. A confiderable part of the Inaches fell alfo ; but 

 the reft, joining themfelves with the Portuguefe in one 

 body, made good their retreat to the head-quarters. 



The deflruclion of the corn everywhere around them, 

 and the impoffibility of bringing provifions there, as they 

 were fituated in the midft of their enemies, obliged the 

 king to think of returning before the rebels fhould colle6t 

 themfelves, and cut off his retreat. And it was with great 

 difficulty, and ftill greater lofs, he accompliflicd this, and 

 retired to Dancaz, abandoning Lafta as foon as he had fub- 

 dued it, but leaving Begemder almoft a prey to the rebels 

 whom he had conquered in Lafla. 



SociNios being now determined upon another campaign 

 againft Lafta, and for the relief of Begemder, ordered his 

 troops to hold themfelves in readinefs to march as foon as 

 the weather fhould permit. But an univerfal difcontent had 

 feized the whole army. They faw no end to this war, nor 

 any repofe from its vi(5lories obtained with great bloodfhed, 

 without fpoil, riches, or reward ; no territory acquired to 

 ■ the king, nor nation fubdued ; but the time, when they were 

 not aftually in the field, filled up with executions and the 

 conftant efifufion of civil blood, that feemed to be more hor- 

 rid than war itfelf. They, therefore, pofitively refufed to 

 march againft Lafta ; and the prince was deputed by them 

 to inform the king, that they did not fay the Roman faith 

 was a bad one, as they did not underftand it, nor defire to 

 be inftrudted ; that this was an aflair which entirely regard- 

 ed themfelves, and no one would pretend to fay there was 



any 



