4 54 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



ed him they knew of no ford but the common one of Dc- 

 lakus, about eight miles below ; that it was true it was not 

 "good, and it was deeper than ordinary, as the rainy feafon 

 had begun early, but that it was fo perfectly fordable that 

 all the country people had gone with affes loaded with but- 

 ter and honey, and other provifions, for the market of Gon- 

 dar laft week ; from whence they inferred that he could 

 eafdy ford it, and fafely, even with loaded mules. They 

 advifed him farther, as the night was dry, and the rain fell 

 generally in the day, to lofe no time, but to collect his 

 troops, weary as they were, as foon as poffible, and fend 

 the heavy baggage before ; that there was no river or tor- 

 rent in their way, but Amlac Ohha, which, at that time of 

 night, was at its loweft, and they might then pafs it at their 

 leifure, while he covered them with his troops behind ; 

 that in fuch cafe they might all be fafe over the ford by 

 the time the fun became to be hot in the morning, about 

 which hour they did not doubt he would be attacked by 

 Welle ta Yafous. They faid farther, that, though they could 

 claim little merit, being prifoners, by offering to be his 

 guides, yet he might perhaps find his ufe in the meafure, 

 and would thereby prove their faith and loyalty to the king. 



Although all this bore the greateft fhew of probability, 

 and the lives of the informers were in his hands, that cau- 

 tious general would not undertake a ftep of fo much con- 

 fequence, as to feparate the rear of the army from the king, 

 without further inquiry. There was then in his camp, 

 waiting the event of next day, two of the guides who had 

 brought them to this ford ; a third had gone over the ri- 

 ver with Ras Michael. There was likewife in his camp a 

 fervant of Nanna Georgis, who had arrived fome days be- 

 4 fore 



