t 3 6 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



probably, lain during their lives, had they not been freed by 

 the interceffion of Matthew. 



David (as I have before obferved) was only eleven years 

 old * when he was placed upon the throne ; and, at his in- 

 auguration, took the name of Lebna Denghel, or the Vir- 

 gin's Frankincenfe ; then that of Etana Denghel, or the 

 Myrrh of the Virgin ; and after that, of Wanag Segued, 

 which fignifies Reverenced, or Feared, among the Lions, with 

 whom, towards the lafl of his reign, he refided in wilds and 

 mountains more than with meru 



During this minority, there was peace with Mahomet 

 king of Adel. Maffudi ftill continued his depredations ; 

 and, by his liberality, had formed ftrong connections with 

 the Turks in Arabia. In return for the number of Haves 

 whom he had fent to Mecca, a green filk flandard, (that of 

 Mahomet and of the Faith), and a tent of black velvet, em- 

 broidered with gold, were fent him by the Sherriffe, the 

 greatefl honour a Mahometan could poflibly receive, and 

 he was alfo made Shekh of the ifland of Zeyla, which was 

 delivering the key of Abyflinia to him. 



It was not till David had arrived at flxteen years of age 

 that the conflant fuccefs of Maffudi, the honours bellowed 

 upon him, and the gain which accrued from all his expe- 

 ditions, had at lafl determined the king of Adel to break 

 the peace with Abyflinia, and join him. Thefe princes, 

 with the whole Mahometan force, had fallen together upon 



Dawaro, 



* Vid. David's letter to Emanuel, king of Portugal 1524. 



