THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 145 



naftery of Bifan. This fliort journey they very happily per- 

 formed. TefTera brought back a parchment manufcript, 

 which he received as a prefent from the monks, to be fent 

 to the king of Portugal. 



It was on the 24th of April that the Baharnagam arriv- 

 ed at Arkeeko, having before fent information of his intend- 

 ed vifit. The Portuguefe general, who never doubted but that 

 he would come to thefea-fide, pitched his tents, andfpread his 

 earpets and cufhions on the ground to receive him. But it 

 was fignified to him from the Baharnagafh, who was pro- 

 bably afraid of putting himfelf under the guns of the fleet, 

 that he did not intend to advance fo far, and that the gover- 

 nor mould meet him half way. This being agreed to on 

 both fides, they fat down on the grafs. 



The Baharnagafh began the converfation, by telling the 

 Portuguefe, they had, in virtue of certain prophecies, been 

 long expected in this country ; and that he, and all the offi- 

 cers of Abyflinia, were ready to do them every fervice and 

 kindnefs. After the Portuguefe general had returned a 

 proper anfwer, the priefts and monks concluded the in- 

 terview with certain religious fervices. Segueyra then made 

 the Baharnagafh a prefent of a very fine fuit of complete 

 armour with fome pieces of filk ; while the Baharnagam, 

 on his fide, made the return with a very fine hone ana' 

 *nule. 



All doubt concerning Matthew was removed at this 



interview ; he was acknowledged as a genuine ambafik- 



dor. The Portuguefe now flocked to Segueyra, befeeching 



him to choofe from among his men, who mould accorn- 



Tol. 1L T pany 



