TI5E SOURCE OF THE NILE. 6S7 



his foldiers in every licence that the moft profligate mind 

 could wifh to commit when marching againll; an enemy. 



It was known the armies were to engage at Nefas Mufa, 

 becaufe Mariam Barea had faid he would fight Brulhc, to 

 prevent him entering the province, but retreat before the 

 king till he could no longer avoid going out of it. The 

 king then marched upon the traft of Mariam Barea, burn- 

 ing and deftroying on each fide of him, as wide as pofliblc, 

 by detachments and fcouring parties. Alio Fafil, an officer 

 of the king's houfehold, a man of low birth, of very mode- 

 rate parts, and one who ufed to divert the king as a kind of 

 buffoon, otherwife a good foldier, had, as a favour, obtained 

 a fmall party of horfe, with which he ravaged the low coun- 

 try of Begemder. 



The reader will remember, in the beginning of this hif- 

 tory, that a fingular revolution happened, in as fingular a 

 manner, the ufurper of the houfe of Zague having volunta- 

 rily refigned the throne to the kings of the line of Solomon, 

 who for feveral hundred years had been banilhed to Shoa. 

 Tecla Haimanout, founder of the monaftery of Debra Liba- 

 nos, a faint, and the laft Abyfiinian that enjoyed the dignity 

 of Abima, had the addrefs and influence to bring about this 

 revolution, or refignation, and to reftore the ancient line of 

 kings. A treaty was made under guarantee of the Abuna„ 

 that large portions of Lafta fliould be given to this prince 

 of the houfe of Zague, free from all tribute, tax, or fervice 

 whatever, and that he fliould be regarded as an indepen- 

 dent prince. The treaty being concluded, the piince of Za- 

 gue was put in polTeffion of his lands, and was called Y'Laf- 

 ta Hatzc, which fignifi<?Sj not the lung of LdAla, but dv /-% 



