4.i6 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



faved by fequeftering the defcendents of the imperial family 

 upon the momitain, he chofe that of Wechne in Beleflen, 

 which ferved ever after for this purpofe. 



This is the third mountain within the reach of written 

 hiftory, firft chofen, and then reprobated, as a ftate-prifon 

 for all the males of the royal family, excepting the one feat- 

 ed upon the throne. 



This interruption of the imprifonment of the princes for 

 a time, and the refuming it again for another period, 

 have led the Portuguefe writers, very little acquainted with 

 the hiftory or conftitution of this country, into various dif- 

 putes and difficulties, which I fliall fully explain and recon- 

 cile in their proper place. It is fufficient for the prefent to 

 obferve, that Claudius was fent into exile to the mountain of 

 Wechne, and that he was the firft prince banifhed thither, 

 where he lived for many years. 



The king, finding that nothing material preiTed at home, 

 marched into Gojam to Enzagedem, whence he fent Ras 

 Bela Chriftos againft the Shangalla, N. W. of the country of 

 the Agows. Thefe people being put upon their guard by 

 their neighbours, all difaffeaed to the king, contrived to 

 place themfelves in ambufti fo judicioufly, that Bela Chrif- 

 tos, marching in fecurity into their country, was furround- 

 ed by the Shangalla, whom he thought yet at a diftance. 

 Great part of his troops was flain by the arrows of the ene- 

 my, who, from their caves and holes in the mountain, pour- 

 ed their miffile weapons, ftones, and arrows on the troops, 

 at fo fmall a diftance that every one took place, though a- 

 bove the reach of fwords, and lances, or fuch common wea- 



T pons ; 



