142 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



thael, in the mean time, had, by the feigned retreat of his' 

 cavahy, decoyed the Begemder troops within reach of the 

 mufquetry, and they were again put in diforder by the dif- 

 charge on each fide of the hill, without being able to ad- 

 vance a flep further ; after which he ordered fome tents to 

 be pitched upon the hill on his right, as if intending to en- 

 camp there. 



Kasmati Ayabdar, who commanded the left wing of the- 

 rebels, imagining that the whole army had advanced to the 

 fouth of the valley with Ras Michael, thought this was an 

 opportunity of furrounding the king's troops, and cutting 

 them off from their camp and ftrong poll upon the hill of 

 Serbraxos ; with this intention he advanced rapidly to the 

 ford of the river Mariam, thinking to take poll on the hill 

 which was to our rear, being that of Serbraxos. When he 

 advanced, however, near that river, and faw the king and 

 his cavalry drawn up on the banks of it, his heart failed him, 

 and he halted within a fliort quarter of a mile of our troops. 

 In order to decoy and make him more confident, Kefla Ya- 

 fous ordered the horfe to retreat and crofs the river as fall 

 as they could, with an appearance of confufion, that he might 

 draw their horfe within reach of our mufquetry planted up- 

 on every eminence. The king fliewed great reluctance at 

 this manoeuvre, however wife. He repeated very peeviilily. 

 What is this ! What is this ! Am I retiring before rebels? — 

 Neither did this llratagem fucceed but in part, for Ayabdar, 

 either dillruiling the trap laid for him, or afraid to enter in- 

 to an engagement with the king, advanced but a few paces, 

 and again halted, apparently not decided what he was to 

 do. 



The 



