376 "TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



preparations for the campaign on the king's part, and no 

 fufpicion entertained, for nothing colls .an Abyflinian lefs 

 .than to diffemble. 



Tt had been agreed by Gufho and PowufTen before part- 

 ing, in order to deceive Michael, that, fhould Falil retire 

 from Bure at their approach, and pafs the Nile into his own 

 country, the King, Ras Michael, and part of the army mould 

 remain at Bure all the rainy feafon ; that, upon the return 

 of the fair weather, they were all again to aflemble at Bu- 

 re, crofs the Nile into Bizamo, and lay wafte the country of 

 the Galla , that the veftige of habitation mould not be feen 

 upon it. 



All this time I found myfelf declining in health, to 

 which the irregularities of the laft week had greatly con- 

 tributed. The King and Ras had fufficiently provided tents 

 and conveniencies for me, yet I wanted to conftruc"t for my- 

 felf a tent, with a large flit in the roof, that I might have 

 an opportunity of taking observations with my quadrant, 

 without being inquieted by troublefome or curious vifitors. 

 I therefore obtained leave from the king to go to Emfras, 

 a town about twenty miles fouth from Gondar, where a 

 number of Mahometan tent-makers lived. Gufho had a 

 houfe there, and a pleafant garden, which he very willing- 

 ly gave me the ufe of, with this advice, however, which at 

 the time I did not understand, rather to go on to Amhara 

 with him, for I mould there fooner recover my health, and 

 be more in quiet than with the King or Michael. As the 

 king was to pafs immediately under this town, and as moft 

 jof thofe that loaded and unloaded his tents and baggage 



2 were 



