THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 43 j-. 



cr along with him, leaving all the royal family at their li- 

 berty at the foot of the mountain. 



This laft mark of confidence, more than all the reft,, 

 touched the minds of that noble troop, who hurried every 

 man with his utmoft fpeed to reftore themfelves volun* 

 tarily to their melancholy prifon, imputing every mo- 

 inent of delay as a ftep towards treafon and ingratitude to 

 their munificent, companionate, and magnanimous bene- 

 fa6tor. All their way was moiflened with tears flowing- 

 from fenfible and thankful hearts ; and all the mountain 

 refounded with prayers for the long life and profperity o£ 

 the king, and that the crown might never leave the lineal 

 defcendents of his family. It was very remarkable, that, 

 during this long reign, though he was conftantly involved 

 in war, no competitor from the mountain ever appeared in- 

 breach of thofe vows they had fo voluntarily undertaken. 



There was another great advantage the king reaped by 

 this generous conduct. All the mofl: powerful and confi- 

 derable people in the kingdom had an opportunity, at one 

 view, to fee each individual of the royal family that was. 

 capable of wearing the crown, and all with one voice agreed^ 

 upon the comparifon made, that, if they had been then af- 

 fembled to ele6t a king, the choice would not have fallerii 

 upon any but the prefent.. 



Though the country of the Agows of Damot is generally- 

 plain and laid out in pafture, each tribe has fome niountaiii: 

 to which, upon the alarm of an enemy, they retire with 

 their flocks. The Galla, being their neighbours on the 

 other, fide of the Nile to the fourh, and the Shangalia in the 



4. lowr 



