THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 6i 



prize ; and though they did not murder or burn, as was 

 Michael's cuftom in his former marches, yet they drove a- 

 way all the cattle they could feize, either in Begemdcr or 

 BelefTen. Befides this, a great quantity of provifions of 

 every fort poured in from the neighbourhood of Gondar, 

 in prefents to the king and great men, though there was 

 really famine in that capital, by the roads being every way 

 obilru^ed ; there was plenty, however, in the camp. 



It was then the month of December, the faireft time of 

 the year, when the fun was in the fouthcrn tropic, and no 

 danger from rain in the day, nor in the night from dew ;. 

 fo that, if the remembrance of the pail had not hung hea- 

 vy on fome hearts, it was a party of pleafure, of the moil 

 agreeable kind, to convoy the king to his capital. The priefls 

 from all the convents for many miles round, in drefles of 

 yellow and white cotton, came, with their crofTes and drums,. 

 in proceflion, and greatly added to the variety of the fcene. 

 Among thefe were 300 of the monks of Kofcam, with their 

 large crofTes, and kettle-drums of fdver, the gift of the Iteg- 

 he in the days of her fplendour ; at prefent it was very 

 doubtful what their future fate was to be, after their patro- 

 nefs had iled from Kofcam. But what moft drew the at- 

 tention of all ranks of people, was the appearance of the 

 Abuna and Itchegue, whofe chara6ler, rank, and dignity ex- 

 empted them from leaving Gondar to meet the king him- 

 felf ; but they were then in great fear, and in the form of 

 criminals, and were treated with very little refpecft or cere- 

 mony by the foldiers, who confidered them as enemies. 



It will be remembered, upon a report being fpread juft 

 after theelecStionof Socinios, that Ras Michael's affairs were 



taking 



