43^ TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



low country immediately to the weft, thefe natural for- 

 trefles are frequently of the greateft ufe during the incur- 

 iions of both. 



TttEY alone, of all the nations of Abyflinia, have found 

 it their intereftfo far to cultivate their neighbours the Shan- 

 galla, that there are places fet apart in which both nations 

 can trade with each other in fafety ; where the Agows fell 

 copper, iron, beads, flans, or hides, and receive an immenfe 

 profit in gold ; for, below thefe to the fouth and weft, is the 

 g;old country neareft Abyflinia, none of that metal being 

 anywhere found in Abyflinia itfelf. : 



Yasoits, from this country of the Agows, defcended into 

 that of the Shangalla ; where, conforming to the ancient 

 cuftom of Abyflinia, he hunted the elephant and rhinoceros, 

 the ordinary firft expedition in the kings his predeceflbrs 

 reigns, but the fecond in his ; the firft having been (as be- 

 fore ftated) fpent in charity and mercy, much more nobly, 

 ■at the foot of the mountain of Wechne. 



Yasous is reported to have been the moft graceful and 

 dexterous horfeman of his time. He diftinguifhed himfelf 

 in this hunting as much for his addrcfs and courage againft 

 the beafts, as he had, for a fhort while before, done by his 

 affability, generofity, and benevolence, amidft his own 

 family. All was praife, all was enthufiafm, wherever the 

 young king presented himfelf; the ill-boding monks and 

 hermits had not yet dared to foretel evil, but every com- 

 mon mouth predicted this was to be an active, vigorous, 

 and glorious reign, without being thought by this to have 

 laid any pretenfion to the gift of prophecy. 



It 



