140 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Scrbraxos. Orders very foon arrived from Ras Michael,, 

 which did not alter the difpofition ; and Kefla Yafous with- 

 the rear arriving at the fame time, jitll joined and doubled; 

 the feveral poils as they had been taken-; oiu- pofition was 

 to the utmofl of our wifli ; but it had not been fo with. 

 Michael, for he no fooaer had got int9 the plain,, where he 

 had the hills no longer either on his right or left, than he 

 was attacked by Powuflen, with the whole force of Begem- 

 der, who cut off the troops of his FitrAuraris to a man, he, 

 and two or three common foldiers, only efcaping. This was 

 owing to Michael's retreating inftead of fupporting him ; 

 for he had fcarcely given time for PowufTen to come up; 

 with his horfe, who fought more defperately than was their 

 ufual cuftbmj than he himfelf again took poflellion of the- 

 entrance of the valley, and lined the hill on both fides 

 with fire-arms. A very general and fliarp fire from Gue- 

 bra Mafcal, and the mufquetry,, (who had occupied the: 

 fouth end of the long hill) foon obliged PowufTen to leave: 

 Michael's cavalry, which he would elfe have inevitably de- 

 llroyed, and Ihelter himfelf in the plain from the violent; 

 efFedl. of the fhot, which rained upon him alternately from, 

 the hills on. each fide of the valley. 



At this time we were in the greateft anxiety, from the- 

 report of the mufquets always, coming nearer us, though^ 

 by the contrary winds, the fmoke was carried from us. The 

 day was far advanced, and excefilvely hot : the foot foldiers 

 were bufy in giving our horfes drink out of our own hel- 

 mets, which they filled from Deg-Ohha. All the troops; 

 were impatient, however, to come to an aAion upon that' 

 ground. At this time an officer from Michael came to 

 Kefia Yafous, who was on horfehack near, the king, order- 

 ing. 



