THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 699 



it was fome time before he could get upon his feet and un- 

 cover himfelf before his fuperior. This being at laft ac- 

 complifhed, and Ozoro Efther refuting to rife, Aylo, in a 

 few words, told the Ras her resolution was to give him in- 

 ftantly her hand, and throw herfelf under his protection, as 

 that of the only man not guilty of Mariam Barea's -death, who 

 could fave her and her children from the bloody cruelty 

 and infolence of the Galla that furrounded her. Michael, 

 fanguine as he was in his expectations of the fruit he was 

 to reap from his victory, did not expect fo foon fo fair a 

 fample of what was to follow. 



To decide well, inftantly upon the firft view of things, was 

 a talent Michael poflened fuperior to any man in the king- 

 dom. Tho' Ozoro Efther had never been part of his fchemes, 

 he immediately faw the great advantage which would ac- 

 crue to him by making her fo, and hefeized it^ and he was 

 certain alfo that the king, in his prefent difpofition, would 

 foon interfere. He lifted Ozoro Efther, and placed her up- 

 on his feat ; fent for Kefla Yafous and his other officers, and 

 ordered them, with the utmoft expedition, to draw up his ar- 

 my in order of battle, as if for a review to ascertain his lofs. 

 At the fame time he fent for a prieft, and ordered feparate 

 tents to be pitched for Ozoro Efther and her houfeholdo 

 All this was performed quickly ; then meeting her with 

 the prieft, he was married to her at the door of his own tent 

 in midft of the acclamations of his whole army. The oc- 

 cafton of thefe loud fhouts was foon carried to the king, 

 and was the firft account he had of this marriage. He recei- 

 ved the information with violent difpleafure, which he could 

 not ftifie, or refrain from expreiling it in the fevereft 

 terms, ail of which were carried to Ras Michael by officious 



4 T 2 perfons, 



