120 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



rally in enterprifes, and growing every day more and more 

 into reputation. 



It is impoflible fo much as to guefs at the number of the 

 enemy, they were always very numerous, but conflantly 

 changing. It was faid, that Begemder and Lafta had at one 

 time 30,000 horfemen ; I fhould believe this number greatly 

 exaggerated, from what I heard afterwards ; and that the 

 whole cavalry in their army did not exceed what it was at the 

 battle of Serbraxos. I fuppofe indeed, that, together with their 

 foot, they did not much exceed that number, tho' they were 

 at times magnified to 50 and 60,000, moft of them very bad 

 troops, continually deferting, excepting about 4000 men be- 

 longing to Gufho, from Amhara, who likewife brought 

 about 100 match-locks, and befides thefe there were fcarce- 

 ly any in the rebel army. I mull not, however, forget 200 

 horfemen, Edjow Galla, fervants and relations of the late king 

 Joas, who behaved in the mofl gallant and undaunted man- 

 ner, and upon all occafions fet a noble example to the reft of 

 the army. 



Ras Michael himfelf led the van; the king the center, 

 with Guebra Mafcal,and a confidcrable body of mufquetcers 

 of Tigre ; he had no horfe but thofe of his own houfehold. 

 The rear was commanded by Wclleta Michael, and Tecla: 

 how difpofcd, or of what troops conllituted I know not, for 

 the front, center, and rear were undcrftood to march 

 in order, btit it was often impoffible to difcern any fuch di- 

 vifions ; we were often all in confufion, fometimes we were 

 in the middle of the front, fometimes joined and mixed 

 with the rear ; all c .r oflicers had left their command, and 

 were crowding abou, Ras Michael and the king ; women 

 2 bearing 



