THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. iir 



This numerous army of Confederates were all ready, ex- 

 pe(.T:ing rhe ram would make the Tacazze impalTable, and 

 cut off ivlichaers retreat to I'igrc. Fafil alone kept the n in 

 iiifpenfe, who, with about 12,000 men, remained at Ibaba, 

 profeffiiig to be at peace with Michael, in the mean time 

 keeping all Maitlha quiet, and waiting for the coming of 

 Wcileta Yalbus, and 20,000 Galla, whom he had fent for 

 from the other fide of the Nile, intending, as he faid, to 

 march on the arrival of this reinforcement, and join the 

 kidg at Gondar. Alth )Ugh it may well be doubted if ever 

 he intended all or anv part of this, one thmg was very cer- 

 tain, that he was fincere in his hatred to Guflio and I'o- 

 wufTen ; he never could forget their treachery in breaking 

 their appointment and promife at Court-Ohha, and expofing 

 him either to fi^ht Michael fingly, or have his whole coun- 

 try burnt and dellroyed. Although Michael had, for thefe 

 lul months, done every thing in his power to bring back 

 to the king fuch people of confideration that pofTeiled the 

 lands and eilates about Gondar, and were the moil rerpe(5t- 

 able of their nobility for influence and riches, bred up a- 

 bout court, and who did chiefly conftitute it ; yet the cruel- 

 ty of his executions, his infatiable greed of money and 

 power, and the extreme facility with which he broke his 

 moft facred engagements, had terrified them from putting 

 themfelves into his hand ;. though they did not raife men, 

 or join any fide, bur lived privately at a diftance, yet their 

 abfence from about the king had the very worfl: effeS: upon 

 his alTairs. A great defertion had likewife happened fince 

 his coming among his old troops of Tigre, both of officers 

 and Ibldiers. The execution of Guebra Denghel, and other 

 two noblemen, had greatly alienated the minds of many of 

 their countrymen and their connexions ; but, above all, 



his. 



