456 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



his victories over the Shangalla, by feveral days of feafting 

 and thankfgiving. 



In the midft of this rejoicing, news were brought that 

 Murat, a fervant of the king, whom he hu.d difpatched to 

 India with merchandife, to bring fuch com millions as he 

 flood in need of, was arrived at Mafuah, where Mufa the 

 Naybe, or Turkifh governor of the ifland, had detained him, 

 and feized his goods, under fome vexatious pretences. 

 There is not indeed a more mercilefs, thievifh fet of mif- 

 creants, than in that government of Mafuah. But the king 

 knew too well the few refources that ifland had, to be long 

 in applying a remedy, without moving from Axum ; after 

 being fully informed of the affair, in all its circumftances, 

 by Murat, he fent to Abba Saluce, Guebra Chriftos, and Za- 

 rabrook of Hamazen, the governors of the diilricts, that as 

 it were furround Mafuah, prohibiting all, upon pain of 

 death, to fufFer any provifions to be carried by any perfon 

 whatever into the ifland of Mafuah. 



A severe famine inftantly followed, which was to termi- 

 nate in certain death, before any relief could come to them, 

 unlefs from Abyflinia. The Naybe Mufa, therefore, found 

 into what a terrible fcrape he had got ; but hunger did not 

 leave him a moment to deliberate. No third way remain- 

 ed, but either he muft fee the king, or die ; and without 

 hefitation he chofe the former. He, therefore, fet out for 

 Axum, bringing with him Murat and all the merchandifes 

 he had feized, as alfo feveral very confiderable prefents for 

 Yafous himfelf, who accepted them, received his fubmimon, 

 and ordered the communication with Abyflinia to be open 



as 



