6i8 TRAVELS TO I>ISCOVER 



the arrival of Waragna at Gondar. This plea was unani- 

 mouily over- ruled by the judges, becaufe the treaty had not 

 been completed. He was, therefore, fentenced to die, and 

 immediately carried out to the daroo-tree before the pa- 

 lace, and hanged between two of his moll confidential coun- 

 fellors. 



The Abuna and Itchegue were next ordered to appear, 

 and anfwer for the crime of high treafon in excommuni- 

 cating the king ; they declared they proceeded on no other 

 grounds than an information, that the king and queen were 

 turned Franks, and had two Catholic priells with them in 

 the palace. The men complained of were produced, and 

 proved to be two Greeks ; Petros, a native of Rhodes, and 

 Demetrius. This explanation being given, the Abuna and 

 Itchegue thereupon afkcd pardon of the king and queen, 

 and were ordered to make their recantation at Dippabye, 

 which they immediately did, declaring they were wrong, . 

 and had proceeded on falfe information.. 



It was on the 28th of January that Sanuda and Adero 

 were ordered to carry king Hezekias to Wechne, which 

 they did, and left him there without disfiguring him in any 

 part of his body, as is the cruel, but ufual cuflom in fuch 

 cafes. But both the Iteghe and her fon were of the moll 

 merciful difpofition ; and the general reputation they had 

 for this was often the caufe of tumults and rebellions that 

 would not have had birth in fcverer reigns. 



It was not long after this when there appeared a preten- 

 der to the crown, very little expecTied. He faid he was the 

 old king Baciiiia ; that he had given it out that he was 



deadj, 



