THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. '^yg 



» 

 the laws of the country, or of humanity, to which, by their 



cuftoms and manner of life, their very firft appearance fhe ws 



they have been long ilrangers. 



David, however averfe to thefe aflemblies, could not de- 

 cently refufe them, now a new prince was fet on the throne, 

 a new Abuna was come from Egypt, and a complaint was 

 ready to be brought that the church was in danger. The 

 aflembly met in the ufual place before th€ palace. The It- 

 ch egue, or head of the monks of Debra Libanos, was ready 

 with a complaint, which he preferred to the king. He Ha- 

 ted it was notorious, but offered to prove it if denied, that 

 three Romifh priefts, with an Abyflinian for their interpre- 

 ter, were then eftablifhed in Walkayt, and, for feveral years^ 

 had been there maintained, protedled, and confulted by the 

 late king Ouftas, who had often alTifted at the celebration 

 of mafs as folemnized by the church of Rome. 



David was a rigid adherent to the church of Alexandria, 

 and educated by his mother in the tenets of the monks of 

 Saint Euftathius, that is, the moll declared enemies of every 

 thing approaching to the tenets of the chUrch of Rome. 

 He was confequently, not by inclination, neither was he by 

 duty, obliged to undertake the defence of mcafures adopt- 

 ed by Ouftas, of which he was beiides ignorant, having been 

 confined in the mountain of Wechne. He ordered, there- 

 fore, the miflionaries, and their interpreter, whofe name 

 was Abba Gregorius, to be apprehended. 



These unfortunate people were accordingly produced be- 

 fore the moft prejudiced and partial of all tribunals. Abba 

 Mafmare and Adug Tesfo were adduced to interrogate and 



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