712 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Instead of taking up the time with fpreading the defo 

 lation he had begun, after the firft two days, by forced 

 marches he came to Fagitta, confiderably earlier than Fa- 

 fil expected. This field that Michael had chofen, was rocky, 

 uneven, and full of ravines in one part, and of plain fmooth 

 turf on the other, whi'ch divifions were feparated by a brook 

 full of large ftones. 



The Nile was on Ras Michael's left, and in this rugged 

 ground he Rationed his lances and mufquetry ; for he ne- 

 ver made great account of his horfe. Two large churches, 

 St Michael and St George, planted thick with cedars, and a- 

 bout half a mile diftant from each other, were on his right 

 and left flanks, or rather advanced farther before his front. 

 A deep valley communicated with the moft level of thefe 

 plains, defcending gently all the way from the celebrated 

 fources of the Nile, which were not more than half a day's 

 journey diftant. Michael drew up his army behind the two 

 churches, which were advanced on his right and left flanks, 

 and among the cedars of thefe he planted 500 mufqueteers 

 before each church, whom the trees perfectly concealed ; he 

 formed his horfe in front, knowing them to be an object 

 the Galla did not fear, and likely to lead them on to charge 

 rafhly. Thefe he gave the command of to a very active and 

 capable officer, PowufTen of Begemder, one of thofe eleven 

 fervants of Mariam Barea, whole lives Michael faved, by 

 protecting them in his tent after the battle of Nefas Mufa. 

 He had directed this officer, with a few horfe, to fcour the 

 fmall plain, as foon as he faw the Galla advancing into it 

 from the valley. 



As 



