THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 417 



"bling troops, and had committed fome cruelties upon the 

 king's fervants in Maitma ; but this, he imagined, was at 

 the inftigation of Fafil, for he never was known to have 

 been connected either with PowufTen or Guflio. He told 

 me after, under the feal of fecrecy, that Ras Michael had 

 halted two days at Derdera ; that, upon a meffage he had 

 received from Begemder, he had broke out into violent paf- 

 fions againft Gufho and PowufTen, calling them liars and 

 traitors, in the openelt manner ; that a council had been 

 held at Derdera, in prefence of the king, where it was in 

 deliberation whether the army mould not turn fhort into 

 Begemder, to force that province to join them ; but that it 

 was carried, for the fake of the Agows, to fend PowufTen a 

 fummons to join him for the laft time : that, in the mean 

 while, they fhould march flraight with the greatefl dili- 

 gence to meet Fafil, and give him battle, then return, 

 and reduce to proper fubordinadon both Begemder and 

 Amhara. 



This was the very worft news I could poffibly receive ac- 

 cording to the refolutions that I had then taken, for I was 

 within about fourteen miles of the great cataract, and it 

 was probable I never again fhould be fo near, were it even 

 always acceffible ; to pafs, therefore, without feeing it, was 

 worfe, in my own thoughts, than any danger that could 

 threaten me. 



Negade Ras Mahomet was a fober plain man, of excel- 

 lent underflanding, and univerfal good character for truth 

 and integrity ; and, as fuch, very much in the favour both 

 of the King and Ras Michael. I therefore opened my in- 

 tentions to him without referve, deiiring his advice how to 



Vol. III. 3 G manage 



