37° 



TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



The effects of thefe oftentatious acts of reformation foon 

 produced confequences which troubled their joy. The A- 

 gows of Lafla, called Tcheratz Agow, who live at the head 

 of the Tacazze, rebelled. The country they occupy is not 

 extenfive, but exceedingly populous, and was fuppofed at 

 that time to be able to bring into the field above 50,000 

 fighting men, befides leaving behind a fufficient number to 

 defend the pafTes and flrong-holds of their country, which 

 are by much the moil difficult and inacceffible of any in 

 Abyffinia. They are divided into five clans, Waag, Tettera, 

 Dehaanah, Gouliou, and Louta, each having an independent, 

 chief. They are exceedingly warlike ; and, though the coun- 

 try be fo rude and rocky, they have a confiderable number 

 of good horfes ; and are in general reckoned among the 

 bravefl and moft barbarous foldiers in Abyffinia. Their 

 province abounds with all forts of provisions, and they rare- 

 ly can be forced to pay any thing to government in the 

 name of tax, or tribute, 



Tecla Georgis was now dead, but the caufe of the re- 

 bellion flill fubfifled. While governor of Begemder, he had 

 connived at many abufes of his officers who occupied the 

 polls neareil to Lafta. Thefe being young men, from wan- 

 tonnefs only, without provocation, had made many different 

 inroads, driving away cattle, and committing many other ex- 

 celles. The Agows carried their complaints to the governor, 

 who, far from hearing or redreffing their wrongs, juftified 

 the conduct of his officers, by making inroads himfelf im- 

 mediately after ; but coming to an action in perfon with that 

 people, he was mamefully beat, and a great part of- his 

 army left dead upon the field,. 



This 



