THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 699 



it was fome time before he could get upon his feet and un- 

 cover himfelf before his fuperior. This being at lall ac- 

 comphflied, and Ozoro Efther refufing to rife, Aylo, in a 

 few words, told the Ras her refolution was to give him in- 

 ftantly her hand, and throw herfelf under his protedion, as 

 that of the only man not guilty of Mariam Barea's death, who 

 could fave her and her children from the bloody cruelty 

 and infolence of the Galla that furrounded her. Michael, 

 fanguine as he was in his expe<51:ations of the fruit he was 

 to reap from his vitSlory, did not expect fo loon fo fair a 

 fample of what was to follow. 



To decide well, inftantly upon the firft view of things, was 

 ^ talent Michael poliefled fuperior to any man in the king- 

 dom. Tho' Ozoro Efther had never been part of his fchemes, 

 he immediately faw tlie great advantage which would ac- 

 crue to him by making her fo, and hefeized it ; and he was 

 certain alfo that the king, in his prefent difpofition, would 

 foon interfere. He lifted Ozoro Either, and placed her up- 

 on his feat ; fent for Kefla Yafous and his otlicr officers, and 

 ordered them, with the utmofl cxpcditioUv, to draw up his ar- 

 my in order of battle, as if for a revicv/ to afcertain his lofs. 

 At the fame time he fent for a prieit, and ordered fcparatc 

 tents to be pitched for Ozoro Efther and her houfeholcL 

 All tliis was performed quickly ; then meeting her with 

 •the priert, he was married to her at the door of his own tent 

 in midft of the acclamations of his whole army. The oc- 

 cafion of thefe loud Ihoius was foon carried to the king, 

 and was tlic f.rft account he liad of this marriage. He recei- 

 ved the information witli violent dirplcafii're,\vhich he could 

 not ftifle, or refrain from expreillng it in the fevereft 

 terms, all of which were carried to Pvas Michael by officious 



4X2 pcrfons, 



