474 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



fallen from their allegiance, and joined Powuflen and Gufho, 

 at lcaft in councils. The Ras, immediately upon arriving at 

 Gondar, diiTembling what he knew of their treafon, had fent 

 to them to prepare a quantity of flour for the troops that 

 were to pafs their way ; to get together what horfes they 

 could as quietly as poflible ; to fend him word what ftate 

 the ford was in ; and alfo, if Powuflen had made any move- 

 ment forward ; or if Ayto Tesfos, governor of Samen, had 

 ihewn any difpofition to difpute the paffage through Wog- 

 gora into Tigre. Word was immediately returned by the 

 traitor Adero, that the ford was as yet very paflable ; that it 

 was faid Powuflen was marching towards Maitflia ; that Ay- 

 to Tesfos was at home upon his high, rock, the feat of his 

 government, and that no time was to be loft, as he believed 

 he had already flour enough to fuflice ; he added alfo, that 

 it would be dangerous to collect more, for it would give the 

 alarm. This was all received as truth, and a meflenger fent 

 back withorders,that ZorWoldo fliould leave the flourin fmall 

 bags at Ebenaat, and that he fhould himfelf and his father 

 wait the Ras at the ford, with what horfe they had, the 

 fourth day from that,, in the evening,. 



The next morning the whole army was in motion. I' 

 had the evening before taken leave of the king in an in- 

 terview which coft me more than almoft any one in my 

 life. The fubftance was, That I was ill in my health, and 

 quite unprepared to attend him into Tigre ; that my heart 

 was fet upon completing the only purpofe of my coming 

 into Abyilinia, without which I fliould return into my own 

 country with difgrace ; that I hoped, through his majeity's 

 influence, Fafil might find fome way for me to accomplifh 

 it ; if not, I trufted foon to fee him return, when I hoped it 



would; 



