^8 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



but chiefly Galla, and fome of thefc had turned Mahometan; ; 

 but that they had no knowledge of any commerce with the 

 Weflern, or Atlantic Ocean, though they knew the Eafteni^ 

 or Indian Ocean, which was nearer ; were often ferved with 

 Indian goods from Mahometan merchants from thence ; but 

 that the Galla had over- run moft of the intermediate court- 

 tries, and made the ways dangerous.. 



After Amha Yafous's audience with the king, he wait- 

 ed on Ras Michael aUb, to whom he brought a prefent in 

 gold ; politely excufnig himfelf for having brought it in,that 

 form, on account that any other would have been trouble- 

 fome, from the length of the way. He well knew, how- 

 ever, that an apology was needlefs, and that Ras Micha- 

 el never faw any prefent in a more agreeable form than 

 that of gold. 1 was not at the audience, nor do I know 

 what pafled at it; only that, on his introduction, the Ras 

 was held up on his feet, and received him {landing ; they 

 then both fat down upon the fame feat, after which they di- 

 ned heartily together at Ozoro Efther's apartment, who came 

 from Kofcam on purpofe to prepare their entertainment, 

 and they drank and converfed together till late at night. 



The fight of gold, and a thoufand horfe at the juncture, 

 made Ras Michael as light and chearful as a young man of 

 twenty-five. No words concerning the government of 

 Shoa paifed, nor any proclamation relative to the Hate of 

 that province ; and this filence was equal to declare it in- 

 dependent, as it was intended, and indeed it had been con- 

 fidered as fuch a long tim€ before. As I faw Amha Yafous 

 eat raw beef like the Abyfllnians, I afked him if it was the 

 cuftom of other nations to the fouthward ? He faid he belie- 

 ved lo, if they were not Mahometans ; and inquired of me 



if 



