2J4 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



fliort delay to which he had inadvertently, though inno- 

 cently, engaged himfelf." 



This anfwer did in no ihape pleafe Socinios, who dif- 

 patched the meflenger immediately with this declaration, 

 " That he was already king, and would never cede his right 

 to Jacob, who was depofed and judged unworthy to reign ; 

 no nor even to his father Melee Segued, though he mould 

 rife again from the grave, and claim the throne he had fo 

 long fat upon." 



Za Selasse, eafdy penetrating that there was no peace in 

 Socinios's intentions, firfl imprifoned the mefTenger, and, in- 

 ftead of another anfwer, marched inftantly with his whole 

 army to furprife him before he had time to take his mea- 

 fures. And in this he fucceeded. For Socinios being at 

 that inftant overtaken by ficknefs, and not knowing what 

 trull to put in Athanafius's army, retired in hafte to the 

 mountains of Amhara ; while Athanafius alfo withdrew his 

 troops till he fliould know upon what terms he flood both 

 with Za SelafTe and the king. 



Still no return came from Jacob. The winter was near- 

 ly paft, and not only the foldiers, but people of all ranks 

 began to be weary of this interregnum, and heartily wifhed 

 for their ancient form of government. They faid, That 

 fince Jacob did not appear, there could be no reafon for ex- 

 cluding Socinios, whofe title was undoubted, and who had 

 all the qualities necefTary to make a good king. 



Za Selasse feeing this opinion gained ground among his 



troops, and fearing they might mutiny and leave him alone, 



3 made 



