236 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Ayto Aylo, then paft midnight, fo that early in the morn- 

 ing, when fcarce light, I faw him come into my chamber. 

 Guebra Mafcal had fled to the houfe of Kefla Yafous his re- 

 lation ; and the firft news we heard in the morning, after 

 Ayto Aylo arrived, were, that Guebra Mafcal was in irons 

 at the Ras's houfe. 



Every perfon that came afterwards brought up fome new 

 account; the whole people prefent had been examined, 

 and had given, without variation, the true particulars of my 

 forbearance, and his infolent behaviour. Every body trem- 

 bled for fome violent refolution the Ras was to take on my 

 firft complaint. The town was full of Tigre foldiers, and 

 nobody law clearer than I did, however favourable a turn 

 this had taken for me in the beginning, it might be my 

 deftruction in the end, 



I asked Ayto AylQ his opinion. He Teemed at a lofs to 

 give it me ; but faid, in an uncertain tone of voice, he 

 could with that I would not complain of Guebra Mafcal 

 while I was angry, or while the Ras was fo inveterate a- 

 gainft him, till fome of his friends had fpoken, and appea- 

 led, at leaft, his firft refentment. I anfwered, " That I was 

 of a contrary opinion, and that no time was to be loft : re- 

 member the letter of Mahomet Gibberti ; remember his 

 confidence yefterday of my being fafe where he was ; re- 

 member the influence of Ozoro Efther, and do not let us 

 lofe a moment." " What, fays Aylo to me in great furprife, 

 are you mad ? Would you have him cut to pieces in the 

 midft of 20,000 of his countrymen ? Would you be dim- 

 menia, that is, guilty of the blood of all the province of 

 Tigre, through which you muft go in your way home ?' 



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