242 



TRAVELS 70 DISCOVER 



This vigorous proceeding alarmed the emprefs and her 

 party. They faw that the meafure taken by Jacob would 

 prefently lead all good men and lovers of their country to 

 fupport him, and to annihilate their power. They refolvedi 

 not to wait till this took place, but inftantly to reftore Za 

 Denghel, whom, with great difficulty, they found hid in the 

 mountains between Gojam and Damot. And, to remove eve- 

 ry fufpicion in Za Denghei's breaft, Ras Athanafius re- 

 paired to the palace, giving Jacob publicly, even on the 

 throne, the moft abufive and fcurrilous language, calling him- 

 an obftinate, ftubborn, foolifh boy; declaring him degraded; 

 from being king, and announcing to his face the coming 

 of Za Denghel to fupplant him. Jacob's behaviour on fo 

 unexpected an occafion was not fuch as Athanafms's rafli. 

 fpeech led to expect. He gave a cool and mild reply to thefe 

 invectives ; but, finding himfelf entirely in his enemy's power, 

 without lofing a moment, he left his palace in the night, 

 taking the road to Samen, not doubting of fafety and protec- 

 tion if he could reach his mother's relations among thofe 

 high, rocky mountains. 



Fortune at firft feemed to favour his endeavours. Ke 

 arrived at a fmall village immediately in the neighbour- 

 hood of the country to which he was going ; but there he 

 was discovered and made prifoner ; carried back and deli^ 

 vered to Za Denghel his rival, whom he found placed on 

 his throne. 



In all thefe cafes, it is the invariable, though barbarous 

 practice of Abyflinia, to mutilate any fuch pretender to the 

 throne, by cutting off his nofe, ear, hand, or foot, as they 

 ihali be inclined the patient mould die or live after the oper- 



2 ation^ 



