THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. '%% 



the laws of the country-, or of humanity, to which, by their 

 cuftoms and manner of life, their very firft appearance mews 

 they have been long ftrangers, 



David, however averfe to thefe afTemblies, could not de- 

 cently refufe them, now a new prince was fet on the throne, 

 a new Abuna was come from Egypt, and a complaint was 

 ready to be brought that the church was in danger. The 

 aflembly met in the ufual place before the palace. The It- 

 chegue, or head of the monks of Debra Libanos, was ready 

 with a complaint, which he preferred to the king. He Ha- 

 ted it was notorious, but offered to prove it if denied, that 

 three Romiih priefts, with an Abyiunian for their interpre- 

 ter, were then eftablifhed in Walkayt, and, for feveral years* 

 had been there maintained, protected, and confulted by the 

 late king Ouftas, who had often aftifted at the Celebration 

 of mafs as folemnized by the church of Rome. 



David was a rigid adherent to the church of Alexandria, 

 and educated by his mother in the tenets of the monks of 

 Saint Euftathius, that is, the moll declared enemies of every 

 thing approaching to the tenets of the church of Rome. 

 He was consequently, not by inclination, neither was he by 

 duty, obliged to undertake the defence of meafures adopt* 

 ed by Ouftas, of which he was befides ignorant, having been 

 confined in the mountain of Wechne. He ordered, there- 

 fore, the mimonaries^ and their interpreter, whofe name 

 was Abba Gregorius, to be apprehended. 



These unfortunate people were accordingly produced be* 

 fore the raoft prejudiced and partial of all tribunals. Abba 

 Mafmare and Adug Tesfo were adduced to interrogate and 



4 D a to 



