THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 705 



mination to leave the capital, the next day, upon pain of 

 death, declaring them outlawed, and liable to be flain by 

 the firft that met them, if, after twenty-four hours, they were 

 found in Gondar or its neighbourhood, or, after ten days, 

 in any part of the kingdom. After this, accompanied by 

 Guflio, he decamped to diflodge Fafil from the ftrong poll 

 which he held at Azazo. 



By the king's refufal to march with Ras Michael in per- 

 fon, it was fuppofed that his houfehold troops would not 

 join, but remain with him to garrifon his palace. Joas, 

 however, was too far decided in favour of Fafil to remain 

 neuter. Michael had encamped the 2 ift of April in the 

 evening, on the fide of the hill above Azazo, in very rough 

 and rocky ground, as unfavourable for Fafil's horfe as the 

 flope it had was favourable for Michael's mufquetry. 



The battle was fought on the 2 2d in the morning, and 

 there was much blood flied for the time that it lafted. A 

 nephew of Michael, and his old Fit-Auraris, Netcho, were 

 both flain, and Fafil was totally defeated. The Galla, who 

 had come from the other fide of the Nile, were very much 

 terrified at Michael's fire-arms, which contained what they 

 called the zibib, or grape, meaning thereby the ball. Fafil 

 retired quickly to Damot, to increafe and collect another 

 army again, and to try his fortune after the rains. 



It happened, unfortunately, that among the prifoners 

 taken at Azazo were fome of the king's black horfe. Thefe 

 being his Haves, and fubjecl only to his commands, fufii- 

 ciently fhewed by whofe authority they came there. They 

 were, therefore, all called before Michael; two of them were 

 Vol. II. 4 U firft 



