s64 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



the army, were always ready to contribute as far as pofllble> 

 to promote what they thought or law was the object of my 

 purfuits or entertainment. 



I SHALL only here mention what pafTed at the laft in- 

 terview I had with the Iteghe, two days before my depar- 

 ture. Tenfa Chriftos, who was one of the chief priefts of 

 Gondar, was a native of Gojam, and confequently of the 

 low church, or a follower of Abba Euflathius, in other 

 words, as great an enemy as poffible to the Catholic, or as 

 they will call it, the relig'wti of the Franks. He was, however, re- 

 puted a perfon of great probity and fandlity of manners, and 

 had been on all occafions rather civil and friendly to ms 

 when we met, though evidently not defirous of any inti- 

 mate connections or fricndfliip ; and as I, on my part, expec- 

 ted little advantage from conned;ing myfelf with a man of 

 his principles, I very willingly kept at all poffible diftance; 

 that I might run no riik of difobliging him was my only 

 aim. 



This prieft came often to the Iteghe's and Ayto Aylo's, 

 with both of whom he was much in favour, and here I 

 now happened to meet him, when I was taking my leava 

 in the evening. I beg of you, fays he, Yagoube, as a favour, 

 to tell me, now you are imniediately going away from this 

 country, and you can anfwer me without fear, Are you 

 really a Frank, or are you not ? Sir, faid I, I do not know 

 what you mean by fear ; I fliould as little decline anfvvcr- 

 ing you any qucftion you have to alii had I ten years ro 

 flay, as now I am to quit this country to-morrow : I came 

 recommended, and was well received by the king and Ras 

 Michael : I neitlicr taught nor preached ; no man ever 

 I heard 



