44© TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



appearance of running us down ; and part of them forced 

 themfelves through, regardlefs of us all, whilft others turn- 

 ed fouth to efcape acrofs the plain. 



The king and Ras Michael were in the mod violent agi- 

 tation of mind : though the caufe was before their eyes, yet 

 the word went about that Woodage Afahcl had attacked the 

 army ; and this occafioned a great panic and diforder, for 

 everybody was convinced with reafon that he was not far 

 off. The firing, however, continued, the balls flew about in 

 every direction, fome few were killed, and many people and 

 horfes were hurt ; Hill they fired, and Ras Michael, at the 

 door of his tent, crying, threatening, and tearing his grey 

 locks, found, for a few minutes, the army was not under 

 his command. At this inftant, Kafmati Netcho, whofe Fit- 

 Auraris had fallen back on his front, ordered his kettle- 

 drums, to be beat before he arrived in the king's pre- 

 fence ; and this being heard, without it being known ge- 

 nerally who we were, occafioned another panic; great part 

 of the army believed that PowufTen and Gufho were now 

 at hand to keep their appointment with Fafil, and that Net- 

 cho and I were his Fit-Auraris. The king ordered his tent 

 to be pitched, his ftandard to be fet up, his drums to beat, 

 (the fignal for encamping) and the firing immediately cea- 

 fed. But it was a long while before all the army could 

 believe that Woodage Afahel had not been engaged with 

 Feme part of it that day. Happily, if near at hand, he did 

 not lay hold of this favourable opportunity ; for I am con- 

 vinced, if, jufi before our arrival, he had attacked Michael on 

 the Samfeen fide, with 500 horfc, our whole army had fled 

 without refiitance, and difperfed all over the country. 



2 Here 



