374 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



ing it open to be poflefTed by his countrymen, the Galla, 

 from Biz am o. 



A vERtf obflinate battle was fought at Banja, one of their 

 principal fettlements, in which the Agows were entirelv 

 defeated, feven of their chiefs killed, all men of great confe- 

 quence, among whom was Ayamico, a very near relation 

 of the king. The news were firft brought by a fon of 

 Nanna Georgis, chief of the Agows, who efcaped from the 

 battle. Michael was at dinner, and I was prefent. It was 

 one of his caroufals for the marriage of PowuiTen, when 

 young Georgis came into the room, in a torn and dirty 

 habit, unattended, and almoft unperceived, and prefented 

 himfelf at the foot of the table. Michael had then in his 

 hand a cup of gold, it being the exclufive privilege of the 

 governor of the province of Tigre to drink out of fuch a 

 cup ; it was full of wine ; before a word was fpoke, and, upon 

 the firfl appearance of the man, he threw the cup and wine 

 upon the ground, and cried out, I am guilty of the death of 

 thcfe people. Every one arofe, the table was removed, and 

 Georgis told his misfortune, that Nanna Georgis his father, 

 Zeegam Georgis, the next in rank among them, Ayamico the 

 king's relation, and four other chiefs, were flain at Banja, and 

 their race nearly extirpated by a vi(5lory gained with much 

 bloodfhed, and after cruelly purfued in retaliation for that 

 of Fagitta. 



■ A council was immediately called, where it was re for* 

 ved, that, though the rainy feafon was at hand, the utmoft 

 expedition mould be made to take the field ; that Gufho and 

 PowuiTen fhould return to their provinces, and increafe 

 their army to the utmoft of their power ; that the king 



mould 



