54 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



all communication between Gondar and Tigre. On the fide of 

 Beleffen, between Lalla and Begemder, was Ras Michael and 

 his army. PowufTen and the Begemder troops cut off the 

 road to Gojam by Foggora and Dara. Ayto Engedan, who 

 was to be confidered as an advanced poll of Fafil, was at 

 Tfliemmera, in the way of the Agow and Maitlha, and Coque 

 Abou Barea on the N. W. fide, towards Kuara ; fo that Gon- 

 dar was fo completely invelted, that feveral of the people 

 died with hunger. 



Ras Michael had ordered his own nephew, Tecla and 

 Welleta Michael, the king's mailer of the houfehold, to en- 

 deavour to force their way from Tigre to Woggora, and 

 open that communication, if poffible, with Gondar ; and 

 for that purpofe had left him 4000 men in the province of 

 Sire, on the other fide of the Tacazze ; and now fcarce was 

 his tent pitched at Mariam-Ohha, when he detached Kefla 

 Yafous with 6000 men to force a jundion with Michael 

 and Tecla from the Woggora fide. Their orders were, if 

 poffible, to draw Tesfos to an engagement, but not to ven- 

 ture to llorm him in the mountain ; for Tesfos's principal 

 poll, the Jews Rock, was inacceffible, where he had plow- 

 ed and fowed plentifully for his fubfiftence, and had a quan- 

 tity of the purell running-water at all feafons of the year : 

 to irritate Tesfos more, Kefla Yafous was then named gover- 

 nor of Samen in his place. This brave and adive officer 

 had fet out immediately for his command, and it was to 

 me the greatell difappointment poffible, that I did not fee 

 him. 



Although Ras Michael had been in council all night, 



the fignal was made to Urike the tents at the firft dawn of 



4 - day, 



