THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 375 



IHould take the low road by Foggora and Dara, there to join 

 the troops of Begemder and Amhara, crofs the Nile at the 

 mouth of the lake, above the fecond cataract, as it is called, 

 and march thence ftraight to Bure, which, by fpeedy march- 

 es, might be done in five or fix days. No refolution was ever 

 embraced with more alacrity ; the caufe of the Agows 

 was the caufe of Gondar, or famine would elfe immediate- 

 ly follow. The king's troops and thofe of Michael were all 

 ready, and had juft refrelhed themfelves by a week's feftivity. 



Gusho and PowufTen, after having fworn to Michael that 

 they never would return without Fafil's head, decamped next 

 morning with very different intentions in their hearts ; for 

 no fooner had they reached Begemder than they entered 

 into a confpiracy in form againfl Michael, which they had 

 long meditated ; they had refolved to make peace with Fafil, 

 and fwear with him a folemn league, that they were but to 

 have one caufe, one council, and one intereft, till they had 

 deprived Michael of his life and dignity. The plan was, 

 that, in hopes to join with them, the army fhould pafs by 

 Dara and the mouth of the lake, as aforefaid, between that 

 lake, called the lake of Dembea, on the north fide, and an- 

 other fmall lake, which feems formerly to have been part 

 of the great one, and is called Court-ohha ; on the fouth is 

 the village of Derdera, and the church of St Michael. Here - 

 was to be the fcene of action ; as foon as Michael advanced 

 to Derdera, Gufho and PowufTen were to clofe him behind 

 on the north ; Fafil, from Maitfha, was to appear on his 

 front from the fouth, whilft, between Court-ohha and the 

 lake, in the midfl of thefe three armies, Michael was to lofe 

 his liberty or his life. The fecret was profoundly kept, 

 though known by many ; but every one was employed in 



preparations 



