THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 175 



him before lie was in a fituation to defend himfelf, and 

 by one ftroke to put an end to the war. They accordingly 

 fet about collecting troops from all quarters, but with a 

 degree of inattention and prefumption that fufficiently 

 fhewed they thought themfelves in no danger. But the 

 young king having good intelligence that vizir Afa, Ofmaiij 

 Debra Yafous, and Joram, (who had fo nearly -taken his fa- 

 ther prifoner in the mountain Tfalem) had their quarters 

 near him, and neglected a good look-out, fell upon them 3 

 without their knowing what his force was,, entirely defeat- 

 ed them, difperfed their army, and flruck a panic into the. 

 whole confederacy by the manner this victory was follow- 

 ed up ; the king himfelf on horfeback continued the pur- 

 fuit all that day and night, as alfo the next day, and did 

 not return to his camp till the feccnd evening after his 

 victory, having Jlain without mercy every one that had 

 fallen into his hands,, either in the flight, or in the field of 

 battle. 



Claudius's behaviour, on this firit eccafion, raifcd the 

 foldiers confidence to a degree of enthufiafm. Every man 

 that had ferved under his father repaired to him with the : 

 greateft alacrity. Above all, the Agows of L alia came down 

 to him in great troops from their rugged and inacceffible- 

 mountains, the chief of that warlike nation being related 

 to him by his mother. 



The king in perfon at the head of his army became now 

 an object of fuch consideration as to make the Mahome,.m 

 chiefs no longer retire as ufual to winter in Adel, but canton 

 themfelves in the feveral diftricts they had conquered in 

 Abyflinia, and lay afide the thoughts of farther wailing the 



country^ 



