36* TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



crucifixes, and all church-ornaments and images of faints 

 that were in relief, and burned them publicly, to make 

 his reconciliation with the king impoflible. He then called 

 before him Abba Jacob his Catholic chaplain, and, having 

 ftripped him of his pontificals, killed him with his own 

 hand. There was no method he could devife of bringing 

 his quarrel fooner to an iflue than this which he had adopt* 

 ed. But he did not feem to have taken equal pains to pro- 

 vide for his defence, as he had done to give provocation. 



Socinjos, upon the firft intelligence of this murder and: 

 treafon, ordered Keba Ghriftos to march againft him with the 

 troops that he had at hand.. This general, equally a good 

 foldier, fubjecl:,.and Catholic, being convinced of the necef- 

 fity of puniftiing fpeedily fo monftrous a crime, paiTed by 

 forced marches through Sire to Axum, thence to Eremona;- 

 and, having appointed; Gafpar Paez to meet him there, he 

 confeiTed himfelf,. and received the facrament from that Je- 

 fuit's hands. Erom. Fremona he continued with the fame 

 fpeedj making three ordinary days marches in one, being 

 defirous of preventing the poflibility. of Tecla Georgis's col- 

 lecting • troops, and; taking refuge on a mountain called. 

 Mafias which he heard to-be his defign. 



It was the izth of December 1628" that news were 

 brought him of the fituation of the enemy ; upon which, 

 lie orderedhis baggage to be left behind,. and every foldier 

 to carry two loaves, and to march without reiling till he 

 came up with Tecla Geoi'gis.. 



In the morning of the day following, two horfemen, on 

 tllcfcpi^t. before. him, discovered. five of the rebel foldiers 



UPOIfc 



