THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. tfo 



earth. The intended cataflrophe, then, of this Angular am- 

 baiTador was remitted; but the truth of his million was be- 

 lieved by the populace, and railed great fcruples in every 

 weak mind. 



The many misfortunes that had lately befalleuthe troops 

 of the king were accounted as fo much increafe of power 

 to the rebel Meica Chriltos, who, encouraged by. the corre- 

 fpondence he held with the chiefs of the Alexandrian reli- 

 gion, began now to take upon him: the flate and office of a 

 king. His firft effay was to fend, as governor to the province 

 of Tigre, a fon of that great rebel Za Selafle, whofe manifold 

 treafons, we have already feen, occafioned the death of twa 

 kings, Za DengheJ. and Jacob. 



Asca Georgis was then governor of Tigre for Soeiniosy 

 a man of merit and valour, but poor, and though related to 

 the king himfelf, had very few foldiers to be depended on* 

 excepting his own fervants, and two bodies of troops which 

 the king had fent him to maintain his authority, and to keep 

 his province in order. 



The new governor, fent by the rebel Meica Chriitos, had 

 with him a conliderable army ; and, knowing the weaknefs* 

 of Afca Georgis, he paraded, through the province in the* 

 utmoft fecurity. i 



One Saturday which, in defiance of the king's edict, he 

 was to folemnize as a feftival equal to Sunday, he had re- 

 folved on a party of pleafure in a valley^ where, .much at- 

 his eafe, he was preparing an entertainment for his troops 

 and friends, and fuch of the province as came to offer their 



2 .. obedience. 



