THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 331 



Simon, after having confirmed Julius in his refolution of 

 murdering the king, his father-in-law, or of dying in de- 

 fence of the Alexandrian faith, if necefTary, perfuaded him 

 to lay afide his deiign of marching againft Sela Chriflos, 

 but rather immediately to return back and furprife the 

 king before thefe two joined. 



Julius readily adopted this advice of the Abuna ; while 

 that prieft, to ihew he was fincere, offered to accompany 

 him in perfon, and fhare his fortune. This was accepted 

 with pleafure by Julius, who next morning received the 

 Abulia's benediction at the head of his army, and aflifled at 

 a folemn excommunication pronounced againft the king, 

 Sela Chriflos, the fathers, and all the Catholics at court. 



The king's firft thought, upon hearing thefe proceedings, 

 was to fend fome troops to the afliftance of Sela Chriflos, 

 warning him of his danger ; but, upon hearing meafures 

 were changed, and that the firft defign was againft himfelf, 

 he marched to meet Julius, and fent a meffage to Sela Chri- 

 flos to join him with all poffible fpeed ; and, as he was an 

 excellent general, he took his poll fo judicioufly that he 

 could not be forced to fight againft his will till fuccour was 

 brought him, without great difadvantage to the enemy. 



Julius, fearing the junction of Sela Chriflos, endeavoured 

 to fight the two armies feparately. For which purpofe he ad- 

 vanced and pitched his camp clofe within fight of that of 

 Socinios, refolving to force him to an engagement. This was 

 thought a very dangerous meafure, and was contrary to the 

 advice of all his friends, who faw how judicioufly Socinios 

 had chofen his ground ; and it was known to the meaneft 



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