374 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



A misfortune of another kind followed this victory: 

 Xaeca Mariam, a near relation to the king, was appointed 

 governor of Begemder ; but no fooner did he fee himfelf 

 veiled with that government, than he meditated making off 



his allegiance to Socinios. 



■ 



The king, after his lafl battle with the Agows, had na- 

 med his fon Facilidas commander in chief of his, forces ; and, 

 to fecure him a powerful and able affiftant, he had firft 

 reflored Sela Chriftos to his government of Gojam, then 

 fent him with an army to join Facilidas, and command un- 

 der him. 



The fuccefs was anfwerable to the prudence of the mea- 

 fure ; for, immediately upon their arrival, they obliged Lae- 

 ca Mariam to feek for refuge in the mountains of Amha- 

 ra , and, without giving him time to recollect himfelf there, 

 forced their way to the mountain to which he had retired, 

 and from which he and his followers had no way to efcape, 

 but by venturing down a fteep precipice ; in attempting 

 this, Laeca Mariam fell, and was darned to pieces, as were 

 many others of his followers ; the reft were flam by the 

 army that purfued them. 



At this time, Facilidas began to attract the eyes of the 

 nation in general. Befides perfonal bravery, he had fhewn 

 great military talents in the former campaign of Lafta. 

 Though young, he was in capacity and refolution equal to 

 his father, but lefs warm, more referved in his temper and 

 difcourfe. He was thought to be an enemy to the Catholic 

 religion, becaufe he did not promote it, and neither exceed- 

 ed nor fell fhort of what his father commanded him. Yet, 



3 he 



