THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 68 1 



time merely in reflection, he had made every preparation 

 poffible, and was ready. So foon then as he received the 

 king's orders, he prepared to march from Adowa with 

 26,000 men, all the bell foldiers in Abyilmia, about 10,000 of 

 whom were armed with firelocks. 



It happened that two Azages, and feveral other great 

 officers, were fent to him into Tigre with thefe orders, and 

 to invefl him with the government of Samen. Upon their 

 mentioning the prefent fituation of affairs, Michael fharply 

 reflected upon the king's conduct, and that of thofe who 

 had counfelled him, which mufl end in the ruin of his fa- 

 mily and the ftate in general. He highly extolled Mariam 

 Barea as the only man in Abyflinia that knew his duty, and 

 had courage to perfevere in it. As for himfelf, being the 

 king's fervant, he would obey his commands, whatever they 

 were, faithfully, and to the letter ; but, as holding now the 

 firfl place in council, he mufl plainly tell him the ruin of 

 Mariam Barea would be fpeedily and infallibly followed by 

 that of his country. 



After this declaration, Michael decamped with his army 

 encumbered by no baggage, not even provifions, women, 

 or tents, nor ufelefs beafls of burden. His foldiers, atten- 

 tive only to the care of their arms, lived freely and li-* 

 centioufly upon the miferable countries through which 

 they pafTed, and which they laid wholly wafle as if belong- 

 ing to an enemy. 



He advanced, by equal, fleady, and convenient marches, 



in diligence, but not in hafle. Not content with the fub- 



fiflanee of his troops, he laid a compofition of money upon 



Vol. II. 4 R all 



