376 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Keba Christos being fent governor to Tigre, was to en« 

 ter Lafta from that quarter on the N. E. He is faid to have 

 received his appointment with a great degree of concern, and 

 to have told his friends, that he forefaw he never was to re- 

 turn from that expedition, which he did not regret, becaufe 

 he was convinced, by living much longer, it would be made 

 his duty to aflift at the fall of the Catholic religion. 



After having performed his devotions at Eremona, this 

 general advanced through Gouliou, a territory moflly in- 

 habited by Galla, and deflitute of any fort of provifions ; af- 

 ter which he took poneflion of the mountains of Lafla, with 

 a view to cover the march of the young prince Facilidas, 

 whom he every day expected. But that prince not appear- 

 ing in time, and provifions becoming fcarce, no meafure re- 

 mained but making his retreat to Tigre ; and, although he 

 formed the bell difpofition for that purpofe, the people of 

 Lafla obferving his intention in time, on his firfl movement 

 attacked his rear-guard while he was defcending the moun- 

 tain, and put it to flight : being thereby mailers of the 

 higher ground, they haa the command of the cowardly 

 foldiers below them, who could not infure their deflruc- 

 tion more certainly than by the indecent manner in which 

 they were flying. 



Keba Christos, deferted by all except a few fervants, 

 continued couragcoufly fighting ; and, although it was ve- 

 ry poflible for him to have efcaped, he difdained to furvive 

 the lofs of his army. Receiving at that time a wound from 

 a javelin, which paiTed through his belly, and judging the 

 flroke to be mortal, he gave up all further refiflance, fell 

 upon his knees to prayer, and was again wounded by a 



3 flone, 



