THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 147 



the Mahometans) were, when occalioh offered, enemies to 

 both. The Shum * of Giaunamora, a fmaJldiftrict belong- 

 ing to Abyflinia, full of brave foldiers, and confiderably re- 

 inforced by David for the very purpofe, had the charge of 

 bringing thefe barbarians to fubjection, as being their im- 

 mediate neighbour. 



The king had afterwards advanced eaftward to the fron- 

 tiers of Fatigar, but was Hill in the fouthern part of his do- 

 minions. The ambaffador and his retinue were landed on 

 the north. They were to crofs the whole extent of the em- 

 pire through woods and over mountains, the like of which 

 are not known in Europe, full of favage beafts, and men 

 more favage than the beafts themfelves ; interfered by large 

 rivers, and what was the worft circumftance, fwelling every 

 day by the tropical rains. Frequently deferts of no conn- 

 derable length, indeed, intervened, where no fuftenance 

 was to be found for man or beaft, nor relief for accidental 

 misfortunes. Yet fuch was the bravery of- that fmall com- 

 pany, that they hefitated not a moment to undertake this 

 enterprife. Every thing was thought eafy which contribu- 

 ted to the glory of their king, and the honour of their coun- 

 try. 



It was not long, before this gallant company found need 

 of all their conftancy and courage ; for in their fhort jour- 

 ney to the convent of St Michael (the firft they attempted) 

 they found the wood fo thick that there was fcarcely pafk- 

 age for either man or beaft. Briers and thorns, too, of a 



T 2 variety 



Or Governor, 



