432 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



low country immediately to the weft, thefe natural for- 

 treffes are frequently of the greateft ufe^during the incur- 

 -fions of both. 



They alone, of all the nations of Abyflinia, have found 

 it theu' intercftfo far to cultivate their neighbours the Shan- 

 galla, that there are places fet apart in which both nations 

 can trade with each other in fafety ; where the Agows fell 

 copper, iron, beads, fkins, or hides, and receive an immenfe 

 profit in gold ; for, below thefe to the fouth and weft, is the 

 gold country neareft Abyftinia, none of that metal being 

 .anywhere found in Abyilinia itfelf. 



Yasous, from this country of the Agows, defcended into 

 that of the Shangalla ; where, conforming to the ancient 

 cuftom of Abyilinia, he hunted the elephant and rhinoceros, 

 -the ordinary firft expedition in the kings his predeceffors 

 reigns, but the fecond in his ; the firft having been (as be- 

 fore ftated) fpent in charity and mercy, much more nobly, 

 at the foot of the mountain of Wechne. 



Yasous is reported to have been the moft graceful and 

 -dexterous horfeman of his time. He diftinguillied himfelf 

 in this hunting as much for his addrcfs and courage againft 

 the beafts, as he had, for a (hort while before, done by his 

 afiability, gencrofity, and benevolence, amidft his own 

 family. All was praife, all was enthufialm, wherever the 

 young king prefented himfelf; the ill-boding monks and 

 'hermits had not yet dared to foretel evil, but every com- 

 mon mouth prcdiacd this was to be an adive, vigorous, 

 and glorious reign, without being thought by this to have 

 laid any preicnfion to the gift of prophecy. 



It 



