THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. z.33 



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CHAP. IX. 



r tranfaElions at Gottdar. 



WE went all to Authule's houfe to fupper in violent rage* 

 fuch anger as is ufual with hungry men. We brought 

 with us from the palace three of my brother Baalomaals, 

 and one who had flood to make \ip the number, though he 

 was not in office ; his name was Guebra Mafcal, he was a 

 filler's fon of the Ras, and commanded one third of the troops 

 of Tigre, which carried fire-arms, that is about 2000 men. 

 He was reputed the befl officer of that kind that the Ras 

 had, and was a man about 30 years of age, fhort, fquare, and 

 well made, with a very unpromifing countenance ; flat nofe, 

 wide mouth, of a very yellow complexion, and much pit- 

 ted with the fmall-pox ; he had a mofl uncommon pre- 

 fumption upon the merit of pad ferviccs, and had the great- 

 efl opinion of his own knowledge in the ufe of fire-arms, 

 to which he did not fcruple to fay Ras Michael owed all 

 his victories. Indeed it was to the good opinion that the Ras 

 Vol. III. G g had 



