382 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



obedience. Intelligence of this party came to three Shums, 

 commanders of fmall diftricts, two of them fons-in-law of 

 the king, the third a very loyal fubject. Thefe three fent to 

 Afca Georgis, to propofe that, at a ftated time, they mould, 

 each with his own men, fall Separately upon the fon of Za 

 SelalTe, and interrupt his entertainment. 



This was executed with great order and punctuality. In 

 the height of the feflival, the rebels were furrounded by an 

 unexpected enemy. To think of fighting was too late, nor 

 was there time for flight. The greatefl part of the army 

 was cut to pieces with little reflftance. The new governor 

 faved himfelf among the reft by the goodnefs of his horfe, 

 leaving Billetana Gueta, or chief matter of the houfehold 

 of the rebel Melca Chriflos, dead upon the fpot, with about 

 4000 of his men. Among the plunder were taken 32 ket- 

 tle-drums, which alone were evidence Sufficient of the 

 greatnefs of the fiaughter. 



Although the happy turn Socinios's affairs had taken 

 had given him leifure to pafs this winter at home, and in 

 greater quiet than he had done in former ones, yet the calm 

 which it had produced was of very fhort duration. The people 

 of Lafta, perceiving fome of the prince's army bufy in de- 

 llroying their harveft when almoft ripe, came down Sudden- 

 ly upon them from the mountain, and put them to flight 

 with very great fiaughter. The blame of this was laid up- 

 on Sela Chriflos, who might have prevented the calamity ; 

 and this accusation, with many others, were brought againft 

 him to the king by Lefana Chriflos. 



This 



