294 



TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Gojam, appearing anywhere in force to flop the defolation of 

 their country, The whole tract between Narea and the Nile 

 was now cleared of enemies, and a number of priefts at 

 that time fent to revive drooping Chriftianity in thofe parts. 



. In the year 1617, a league was again made among the 

 Boren Galla, that part of them mould invade Gojam, while 

 the others (namely the Marawa) mould enter Begemder. 

 Upon hearing this, the king in halle marched to Begemder, 

 that he might be ready in cafe of need to aflift Tigre. He 

 then fixed his head-quarters at Shima, but from this he 

 fpeedily removed ; and, palling Emfras, came to Dobit, a 

 favourite refidence of the emperor Jacob, where he held 

 a council to determine which of the two provinces he mould 

 firft aflift. 



It was the general opinion of his officers, that to march 

 at that time of the year into Tigre by Begemder, was to de- 

 ilroy the army, and diftrefs both provinces.; that an army, 

 well provided with horfe, was neceflary for acting with fuc- 

 cefs againfl the Galla, and that, in effect, though the royal 

 army at prefent was fo appointed, yet these was no grafs at 

 that time of the year in all that march for the fubfiftence 

 of the cavalry, and very little water for the ufe of man or 

 beaft, an inconvenience the Galla themfelves muft expend 

 ence if they attempted an invafion that way. It was, more- 

 over, urged, that, if the king mould march through Wog- 

 gora and Lamalmon, they might get more food for their 

 beafts, and water too ; but then they would throw them- 

 felves far from the place where the Galla had entered, and 

 would be obliged to fall into the former road, with the in- 

 conveniencies already ftated. The confequence of this de- 

 liberation 



