4 8o TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



field, and a rebellion prevailed in two different diftricts of his 

 province. The fons of Kafmati Woldo, whole father Ras Mi- 

 chael put to death, had declared for themfelves, in their pa- 

 ternal government of Enderta, and Netcho who married Ras 

 Michael's daughter, had taken proffeirion of the mountain 

 Aromata, commonly called Haramat, an ancient ftrong-hold 

 of his father's, of which Michael had made himfelf matter, 

 while yet a young man, after befieging it fifteen years. Netcho 

 had alfo united himfelf with ZaMenfusKedus,aman of great 

 property in that and the neighbouring country. Enderta is a 

 flat, fertile territory, in the very fouth-eaft of Abyflinia, de- 

 pending on Tigre, and the mountain Aromata is fituated near 

 the middle of that province ; before taking the field, Michael 

 had directed the twoWoldos to be anaflinated during afeaftat 

 Enderta, andtheirpartydifperfedofitfelfwithoutfartherefTort. 



The mountain fhewed a better countenance, and feemed 

 to promife employment for a long time ; it was garrifoned 

 by old and veteran troops who had ferved under Ras Mi- 

 chael. Netcho was the fon of his hereditary enemy, ancient- 

 ly governor of that mountain, whom he had reconciled by 

 giving him his daughter in marriage ; notwithftanding 

 which he had now rebelled, jull as the Ras marched to 

 Maitfha againft Fafil, by the perfuafion of Gufho and Powuf- 

 fen, purpofely that he might form a diverfion in Tigre, and 

 for this reafon he had little hopes of mercy, if ever he fell 

 into the hands of Ras Michael. I had feen him often, 

 and knew him; he was a tall, thin, dull man, of a foft tem- 

 per, and eafily impofed upon. Za Menfus, the other chief 

 in the mountain, was a very active, refolute, cnterprifing 

 man, of whom Michael was afraid. He had a large pro- 

 perty all around the mountain ; had been put in irons by 

 Michael, and had efcaped ; befides, on his return to Tigre, he 

 i had 



