THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 361 



Were to devote to deftruction, or, if poffible, keep pofTeffion 



of it. 



Buco was governor of Gojam ; the king had fent Sela, 

 Chriftos to his aififtance, and was intending to follow with 

 another army himfelf. In the mean time, the pafTes through 

 which the Galla ufed to enter were all lined with men, and 

 every preparation made to receive them. 



These barbarians advanced to the Nile in multitudes ne- 

 ver feen before ; and, finding the province perfectly on its 

 guard, they feigned a panic, or difagreement among them- 

 felves, retired in feeming confufion, and difperfed, fome, 

 as it was faid, to their own homes, and fome to an expedi- 

 tion againft Narea. This in reality had often happened ; 

 but now it was only a ftratagem ; for they all afiem- 

 bled in their own country Bizamo, of which the Abyfli- 

 nians had no intelligence. Buco, thinking he was free of 

 them for that year, difbanded his troops, or detached them 

 to other fervices ; Sela Chriftos did the fame ; neither did 

 Socinios advance with his army. 



In that interval of weaknefs, news were fent to Buco 

 that the Galla had parTed the Nile. Upon which he advan- 

 ced with 1000 foot and 200 horfe, believing that it was 

 fome fmall part of that army which he thought had fome 

 time before been difperfed. After hearing mafs with 

 great devotion, and receiving the facrament, in pairing 

 through a thick wood he was aflaulted by the Galla. Being 

 a man, brave in his own perfon, and exceedingly well- train- 

 ed to arms, he fought fo fuccefsfully, and "fo encouraged 

 his men by his example, that he cut that body of Galla en- 



Vol. II. Z z tirely 



