THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. $15 



Neither party were flack in preparations. Kafmati Ho 

 norms, governor of Damot, a, veteran officer and old fer- 

 vant of Yafous, collected a large body of troops and march- 

 ed them down the weft fide of the lake. Yafous having 

 there joined them, and putting himfelf at the head of his 

 army, began his march, rounding the lake on its fouth fide 

 towards Dingleber. 



Neither did Tecla Haimanout delay a moment after 

 hearing his father was in motion, but marched with his 

 army from Gondar, attended with all the enfigns of royalty* 

 He encamped at Bartcho, in that very field where Za Den- 

 ghel was defeated and flain by his rebellious fubjects. Think- 

 ing this a poll ominous to kings, he refolved to wait for his 

 father there, and give him battle. 



The king, in his march through the low country of Dem- 

 bea, was attacked by a putrid fever, very common in thofe 

 parts, which fo increafed upon him that he was obliged to 

 be carried back to Tchekla Wunze. This accident difcou- 

 raged his whole party. His army, with Honorius, took 

 the road to Gojam, but did not difperfe, awaiting the reco- 

 very of the king. 



But the queen, Malacotawit, no fooner heard that Yafous 

 her hufband was fick at Tchekla Wunze, than flie fent to 

 her fon Tecla Haimanout to leave his unwholefome ftation, 

 and march back immediately to Gondar ; and, as foon as he 

 was returned, flie difpatched her two brothers, Dermin and 

 Paul us, with a body of foldiers and two Mahometan muf- 

 queteers, who, entering the hland Tchekla Wunze by fur* 

 prife, fhot and difabled the king while fitting on a couch ; 



3 T 2 immediately 



