THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 6$i 



fence of the king ; and the devil, as the Abyflinians believe, 

 began in that ftorm a correfpondence with him which con- 

 tinued many years ; I myfelf have often heard him vaunt 

 of his having maintained, ever fince that time, an intercourfe 

 with St Michael the archangel. 



On the morning of the 27th of December, Ras Welled de 

 l'Oul ordered Michael to attend him in the habit of a peni- 

 tent ; and, followed by his companions in misfortune, (that 

 part of his troops which was taken on the mountain) and 

 furrounded by a number of foldiers, with drums beating 

 and colours flying, he was carried into the king's pre- 

 fence. 



Ras Welled de l'Oul had, with difficulty, engaged the 

 king's promife that he was not to put him to death. The good 

 genius of Yafous and his family was labouring by one laft 

 effort to favehim. On feeing Michael upon the ground, Yafous 

 fell into a violent tranfport of rage, fpurned him with his 

 foot, declaring he retracted his promife, and ordered him to 

 be carried out, and put to death before the door of his tent. 

 Ras Welled de l'Oul, Kafmati Waragna, Kafmati Woldo, and 

 all the officers of confideration, either of the court or army, 

 now fell with their faces upon the ground, crying to the king 

 for mercy and forgivennefs. Yafous, if in his heart he did 

 not relent, ftill was obliged to pardon on fuch univerfal fo- 

 licitation ; and this he did, after making the following ob- 

 fervation, which foon after was looked on as a prophecy : 

 " I have pardoned that traitor at your inflance, becaufe I 

 at all times reward merit more willingly than I punifh 

 crimes ; but I call you all to witnefs, that I wafh my hands 

 before God to-day of all that innocent blood Michael lhall 



4 N 2 flied 



