THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 415 



bels of Lafta. It feems, that this prince had been long en- 

 couraged by the Jefuits, and his uncle Sela Chriftos, in ex- 

 pectation of fucceeding his father Socinios, and fupplanting 

 Facilidas, his brother, in the kingdom. But, after the ban Im- 

 ment of the Jefuits, and the death of Sela Chriftos, Facilidas 

 thinking, thefe bad counfellors being removed, he would 

 continue firm in his duty, and willing to difbelieve the whole 

 that had been reported* of his defigns, made him governor of 

 Begemder. 



It happened, however, that this very year two Abunas 

 arrived from Egypt, one by way of Sennaar, the other by 

 Dancali. Upon inquiry it was found, that Abba Michael, 

 the latter of thefe Abunas, had been fent for by Kafmati 

 Claudius, in expectation that he was to be on the throne by 

 the time of his Abuna's arrival. This implied clearly that 

 the king's death was agreed on. Claudius, without attempt- 

 ing a vindication, or awaiting the difcumon of this ftep, fled 

 to Lafta, and joined Laeca, fon of Melca Chriftos, a youth 

 then at the head of the rebels. 



Facilidas banifhed Abba Michael to Serke, a Mahome- 

 tan town in the way to Sennaar, and admitted Abba Johan- 

 nes, whom he himfelf had fent for from Cairo, into the 

 ofEce of Abuna. 



Soon after this, Claudius was furprifed and taken prifon- 

 er, and brought. to the king, and, though ftained in a high 

 degree with ingratitude, treafon, and intended fratricide, he 

 could not be brought to order his execution, but, like a 

 wife and merciful prince, reflecting on the ancient ufages 

 of the empire, and how much royal blood might be daily 



faved 



