4jS TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



The ground was all firm and level between Keki and the 

 Avoley, a fpace of about 15 miles. 



Ras Michael halted after palling the Kelti, and fent on 

 the Fit-Auraris about five miles before him ; he then ordered 

 what quantity of flour, or provifions of any kind could be 

 found, to beidiftributed among the men, and directed them 

 to refrefh themfelves for an hour before they again be- 

 gan their march, becaufe they might expect foon to engage 

 with Fafil. The day being clear, and the fun hot, thofe 

 that the cold affected, from the pafTage of lafl: night, began 

 to recover their former health and agility; their clothes were 

 now all dry, clean wafhed, and comfortable ; and had it not 

 been for the fatigue that remained from the two lafl: days, 

 and the fliort allowance to which they were reduced, per- 

 haps there were few occafions wherein the army was fitter 

 for an engagement. Being now difembarrafled from dan- 

 gerous rivers, they were on dry folid ground, which they 

 had often marched over before in triumph, and where all 

 the villages around them, lying in ruins, put them in mind 

 of many victorious campaigns, and efpecially the recent 

 one at Fagitta over this fame Fafil. Add to all this, they were 

 on their way home to Gondar, and that alone made them 

 march with a tenfold alacrity. Gondar, they thought, was 

 to be the end of all their cares, a place of relaxation and 

 eafe for the red of the rainy feafon. 



It was between twelve and one we heard the Fit-Auraris 

 engaged, and there was fharp firing on both fides, which 

 foon ceafed. Michael ordered his army immediately to halt; 

 he and the king, and Billetana GuetaTecla, commanded the 

 van ; Welleta Michael, and AytoTesfos of Sire, the rear. Having 



marched 



