712 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Instead of taking up the time with fprcading the defo- 

 lation he had begun, after the firfl two days, by forced 

 marches he came to Fagitta, conliderably earlier than Fa- 

 fil expe(fted. This field that Michael had chofen, was rocky, 

 uneven, and full of ravines in one part, and of plain fmooth 

 turf on the other, which divifions were feparated by a brook 

 full of large ftones. 



The Nile was on Ras Michael's left, and in this rugged 

 ground he ftationed his lances and mufquetry ; for he ne- 

 ver made great account of his horfe. Two large churches, 

 St Michael and St George, planted thick with cedars, and a- 

 bout half a mile diftant from each other, were on his right 

 and left flanks, or rather advanced farther before his front. 

 A deep valley communicated with the moft level of thefe 

 plains, defcending gently all the way from the celebrated 

 fources of the Nile, which were not more than half a day's 

 journey diftant. Michael drew up his ai-my behind the two 

 churches, which were advanced on his right and lelt flanks, 

 and among the cedars of thefe he planted 500 mufqueteers 

 before each church, whom the trees perfedfly concealed ; he 

 formed his horfe in ftom, knowing them to be an objed: 

 the Galla did not fear, and likely to lead them on to charge 

 rafhly. Thefe he gave the command of to a very aiftive and 

 capable officer, Powuflen of Begemder, one of thofe eleven 

 fervants of Mariam Barea, whofe lives Michael faved, by 

 protediing them in his tent after the battle of Nefas Mu.fa. 

 He had dire6t;id this ofl[icer, with a few horfe, to fcour the 

 fmall plain, as foon as he faw the Galla advancing into it 

 from the valley. 



1 As 



