THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 209 



managing my horfe and arms, with which, until that 

 time, he had been unacquainted, placed me about his per- 

 fon, both in the palace and in the field, for his own amufe- 

 ment, and I may fay inftru6tion, and for my fafety ; and 

 this advice has proved fo good, that I have never once de- 

 viated from it but rny life has been in danger. The firft 

 attempt I made to go to the cataradl, Guebra Mehedin 

 way-laid and intended to murder me. When the king was 

 in Tigre, Woodage Afahel defigned to do me the fame fa- 

 vour by the Galla he fent from Samfeen; and fo did Coque 

 Abou Barea at Degwalla, by the hands of Welleta SelafTe. 

 No fafety, therefore, then remained to me but in adhering 

 clofely to the king, as I have ever fince done, and was ad- 

 vifed from the firll to do, which indifpenfibly brought me 

 to Serbraxos, or wherever he was in perfon. You cannot 

 think it is from a motive of choice that a white man like 

 myfelf runs the rifk of lofmg his life, or limbs, fo far from 

 home, and where there is fo little medical ailiflance, in a 

 war where he has no motive that can concern him." 



" Do not miftake me, Yagoube, fays Guflio, your beha- 

 viour at Sebraxos does you honour, and will never make 

 you an enemy, fo does the like affair with Kefla Yafous ; 

 there is no man you can fo properly connecft yourfelf with 

 as Kefla Yafous ; all 1 wanted to obferve to you is, that it is 

 faid Woodage Afahel v/oukl have efcaped fafely from the 

 mountain if you had not lliot him, and that yours was the 

 only mufquet that was fired at him ; which is thought 

 invidious in you, being a llranger, as lie is the head of 

 the Edjow Galla, the late king's guards ; they may yet return 

 toGondar, and will look npon you as their enemy, becaufe 



YoL. 1 V. D d a leaden 



