i66 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



a yard of level ground being before it to hinder its inha- 

 bitants from falling down the precipice. The wood is full 

 of lemons and wild citrons, from which it acquires its 

 name. Before the tent, to the weftward, was a very deep 

 valley, which terminated this little plain in a tremendous 

 precipice. 



The river Mai-Lumi, rifing above the village, falls into 

 the wood, and there it divides itfelf in two ; one branch fur- 

 rounds the north of the plain, the other the fouth, and falls 

 down a rock on each fide of the valley, where they unite, 

 and, after having run about a quarter of a mile further, are 

 precipitated into a cataract of 150 feet high, and run in a 

 direction fouth- weft into theTacazze. The river Mai-Lumi 

 was, at this time, but fmall, although it is violent in winter; 

 beyond this valley are five hills, and on the top of each is 

 a village. The Shum rcfides in the one that is in the middle. 

 He bade us a feeming hearty welcome, but had malice in 

 his heart againft us, and only waited to know for certain- 

 ty if it was a proper time to gratify his avarice. A report 

 was fpread about with great confidence, that Ras Michael 

 had been defeated by Fafil ; that Gondar had rebelled, and 

 Woggora was all in arms ; fo that it was certain lofs of life 

 to attempt the paffage of Lamalmon. 



For our part, we conceived this flory to be without foun- 

 dation, and that, on the contrary, the news were true which 

 we had heard at Sire and Adowa, viz. That Michael was vic- 

 torious, and Faiil beaten ; and we were, therefore, refolved 

 to abide by this, as well knowing, that, if the contrary had 

 happened, everyplace between the Tacazze and Gondar was 

 as fatal to us as any thing we were to meet with' on Lamal- 



2 mon 



