i§S TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



of his friends without the tent, and ftill more fo upon our 

 being called in together: the Ras was converfing low to two 

 priells, who by their drefs feemed to have come lately from 

 Gondar; he paid little regard to either of us, but nodded, and 

 aflced in Tigre how we did ? Three or four fervants, how- 

 ever, brought out new fine cotton clothes, which they put 

 upon us both ; and, upon another nod, feveral officers and 

 priefts, and a number of other people, conduced us to the 

 king, though fi:ill, as the Ras had fcarcely fpoken to us, I 

 \vondered how this fliould end. After flaying a little wc 

 were both introduced; the Likaontes, or judges, Ibme priefts, 

 and my friend the fecretary, flood about the king, who fat 

 in the middle of his tent upon the flool Guangoul had fat 

 down upon ; the fecretary held fomcthing in his lap, and, 

 upon Gucbra Mafcal's firft kneeling, bound a white 

 fillet like a ribband round his forehead, upon which were 

 written in black and red ink. Mo amhajfa am Ni%eld Solomon am 

 Ncgacle Jude, " The lion of the tribe of Judah of the race of 

 Solomon has overcome." The fecretary then declared his 

 inveflitiu-e ; the king had given him in fief, or for military 

 fervice for ever, three large villages in Dembea, which he 

 named, and this was proclaimed afterwards by beat of drum 

 at the door of the tent. The king then likewife prefented 

 him with a gold knife, upon which he kiifed the ground^ 

 and arofe. 



It was my turn next to kneel before the king. ■ Vv7ie- 

 ther tliere was any thing particular in my countenance, or 

 what fancy came into his head I know not, but when I 

 looked him in the face he could fcai cc refrain from laugh- 

 ing. Pie had a large chain of gold, wiih veiymafTy links, 

 which he doubled twice, and then put it over my neck, 



while 



