THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 479 



young prince put a dire<5t negative upon it, by declaring 

 that he would rather flay in Gondar, and fall by the hands 

 of his enemies, than either conquer them, or efcape from 

 them, by the commimon of fo enormous a crime. When 

 this was publicly known, it procured the king univerfal 

 good-will, as was experienced afterwards, when he ar.d Mi- 

 chael were finally defeated, and taken prifoners, upon their 

 march in return to Gondar- 



The army' advanced rapidly towards Walkayt. Being 

 near the Tacazze, they turned fhort upon Mai-Lumi, (the 

 River of Limes) the governor of which, as I have already 

 faid, in our journey from Mafuah, detained us feveral days 

 at Addergey with a view to rob us, upon a report prevailing 

 that Ras Michael was defeated at Fagitta. This thief the 

 king furprifed and made prifoner, fet lire to his houfe after 

 having plundered it, and carried him as hoftage to Tigre, for 

 the payment of a fum which he laid upon every village to 

 fave them from being fct on fire. 



Being now fafely arrived on the banks of the Tacazze, 

 the firft province beyond which is that of Sire, Michael fent 

 before him Ayto Tesfos the governor, a man exceedingly be- 

 loved, to affemble all fort of ailillance for paffing the river. 

 Every one flocked to the ftream with the utmoft alacrity ; 

 the water was deep, and the baggage wet in cro fling, but the 

 bottom was good and hard ; they palled both expeditioufly 

 and fafely, andwere received in Sire, and then in Tigre, with 

 every demonflration of joy 



Michael, now arrived in his government, fet himfelf fe- 

 rioully to unite every part under his own jurisdiction. Itwas 

 now the rainy feafon ; there was no poflibility. of taking the 



field,. 



