THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 451 



muddy landing-place, fell back into the ftream, and were 

 carried away and drowned. Of the horfe belonging to the 

 king's houfehold, one hundred and eighty in number, feven 

 only were miffing ; with them Ayto Aylo, vice-chamberlain 

 to the queen, and Tecla Mariam the king's uncle, a great 

 friend of Ras Michael's, both old men. 



The ground on the weft fide was quite of another con- 

 fiftence than was that upon the eafl, it was firm, covered 

 with fhort grafs, and rofe in fmall hills like the downs in 

 England, all Hoping into little valleys which carried off the 

 water, the declivity being always towards the Nile. There 

 was no baggage (the tent of the Ras and that of the king 

 excepted) which had as yet come over, and thefe were wet, 

 being drenched in the river. The Fit-Auraris had left, ready 

 made, two rafts for Ozoro Either, and the other two la- 

 dies, with which fhe might have eafily been conducted 

 over, and without much danger ; but the Ras had made 

 Ozoro Either pafs over in the fame manner he had crof- 

 fed himfelf, many fwimming on each fide of her mule. 

 She would have fain ftaid on the eafl fide, but it was 

 in vain to remonftrate. She was with child, and had 

 fainted feveral times ; but yet nothing could prevail with 

 the Ras to truft her on the other bank till morning. She 

 croffed, however, fafely, though almoft dead with fright. It 

 was faid he had determined to put her to death if fhe did 

 not pafs, from jealoufy of her falling into the hands of Fa- 

 fil ; but this I will by no means vouch, nor do I believe it. 

 The night was cold and clear, and a ftrong wind at north- 

 wed had blown all the afternoon. Guebra Mafcal, and fe- 

 veral of Ras Michael's officers, had purpofely tarried behind 

 for gathering in the flragglers. The river had abated to- 



3 L 2 wards 



