THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 367 



filled at the murder of Abba Jacob, he ordered him directly 

 to be put to death. 



Tecla Georgis, aided by the flrength of his horfe and 

 knowledge of the country,efcapedandconcealedhimfelf from 

 his purfuers for four days ; but, on the Saturday that follow- 

 ed the victory, he was found in a cavern with his great confi- 

 dents, Woldo Mariam, and a fchifmatic monk whofe name 

 was Sebo Amlac* Tecla Georgis was. carried alive to Keba 

 Chriflos, who fent him to the king, his two companions 

 being flain as foouas found, and their heads accompanied 

 their living mailer, which, on their arrival at Dancaz, the 

 king ordered to be_ hung. upon a. tree. 



Tecla Georgis being convicted of facrilege as well as 

 murder, having burnt the crucifixes and images of the 

 faints, was condemned to be burnt alive, and a lime-kiln 

 was immediately pre'pared in which he was to fufTer. Up- 

 on hearing this, he defired a Catholic confefibr, as wiihing 

 to be reconciled to the church of Rome, and for this pur- 

 pofe he fent a requefl to the patriarch, who was at three 

 leagues diftance, and who difpatchedAntonioFernandeswith 

 full powers to abfolve from all manner of fins, and at the 

 fame time gave him orders to intercede ftrongly with the 

 king to pardon the criminal. Tecla Georgis confefTed pu- 

 blicly at the door of the church, and abjured the errors. o£ 

 the church of Alexandria, 



After this, the father Fernandes applied' to the king, 

 pleading ftrongly for his pardon. To which: the king, au- 

 fwered, " Many reafons there are why I mould deiire to 

 pardon. Tecla Georgis. To lay no more, he has been mar- 



riedl 



