THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. $®$ 



to her; that the other part of her fubjects was occupied 

 in keeping and rearing great herds of cattle for the mar- 

 kets of Sennaar and other towns, as well as camels for the 

 caravans of Mecca, Cairo, and Sudan, both employments 

 being of public benefit ; and, therefore, as fhe did harm to 

 none, fhe had a greater reafon to wonder what could be his 

 motive of fending fo far from home to feek her, and her 

 harmlefs fubjecfts, in the defert, with fuch efFufion of inno- 

 cent blood." 



The king hearing this fagacious anfwer, which was fol- 

 lowed by many others of the kind, was extremely pleafed ; 

 but allured her, " That he intended to maintain his ancient 

 right both over her fubjecls,and the Arabs under Wed Ageeb, 

 who was now his vafTal, in all the country from Fazuclo to 

 Suakem ; that he confidered the Funge as ufurpers, and 

 would certainly treat them as fuch." After this Socinios dif- 

 mifTed the queen, and gave her affurances of protection, 

 having firft cloathed her as his vafTal in filk and damafk, af- 

 ter the fafhion of women in her own country. 



But it was not long before this train of fuccefs met with 

 a confiderable check. Very foon afterwards, the king being 

 in Gojam, a mefTage was brought to him from the principal 

 people of Narea, informing him plainly, " That Benero, ha- 

 ving become cruel and avaricious, put many people to death 

 wantonly, and many more for the fake of their money ; ha- 

 ving taken from them their wives and daughters, either for 

 his own pleafure, or to fell them as flaves to the Galla — they 

 had at laft murdered him, and chofen a man in his room 

 diflinguifhed for his virtue and goodnefs." 



Vol. II. Qjq Ths 



