THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 241 



In the mean time, he was at the head of a confiderable 

 band of foldiers ; had aflifted Fafa Chriftob, governor of Go- 

 jam, in defeating the Galla, who had over-run that province; 

 and, by his courage and conduct that day, had left a ftrong 

 impreffion upon the minds of the troops that he would fooa 

 become the moll capable and active fdldier of his time. 



The queen and her two fons-in-law being dilappointed 

 in their attempt upon Socinios, were obliged to take the on- 

 ly ftep that remained in their choice, which was to appoint 

 the infant Jacob * king, a child of feven 5 ears old, and put 

 him under the tutelage of Ras Athanafms. 



The emprefs Mariam Sena, and her two fons-in-law, had 

 gained to their party Za SelaiTe, a perfon of low birth, na- 

 tive of an obfcure nation of Pagans, called Gurague, a man 

 efteemed for bravery and conduct, and beloved by the fol- 

 diers; but turbulent and feditious, without honour, grati- 

 tude, or regard, either to his word, to his fovereign, or the 

 interests of his country. 



Jacob had fufTered patiently the direction of thofe that 

 governed him, fo long as the excufe of his minority was a 

 good one. But being now arrived at the age of 17, he began 

 to put in, by degrees, for his {hare in the direction of affairs ; 

 and obferving fome ileps that tended to prolong the govern- 

 ment of his tutors, by his own power he bammed. Za Selaf- 

 fe, the author of them, into the diitant kingdom of Narea. 

 Vol. II, Hh This 



* The name of infant-king feems to haye been given as a nick-name in Abyffinia, and is pre- 

 ferred to this day. 



