42 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER: 
he never would confent.to-his croffing the.Tacazzé; and’ 
this had, with moft people, the defired effect; for all Gons 
dar loved TeclaHaimanoutgs muchas theydetefted Socinios; | 
but the bloodfhed, and cruelty that would certainly atrend | 
Michael’s coming; made them with for any government that» 
would free them from the terror of that.event.. On the 
other hand, Soeinios, though now perfectly perfuaded of 
Fafil’s motives, had not deferted his own caufe; he had 
fent Woodage Afahel,: fortified with all his authority, in- 
to Maitfha, in-ordér to raife a:commotion: there ;ordered it — 
to be proclaimed to the whole-body of:Galia.in that pro- 
vince, that if:they would come to Gondar, and prevent the 
arrival of Ras Michael, and bring: their Bouco (or fceptre) , 
along with them, they. fhould have. the election of their 
own governor, and not pay. any thing to the king for feven 
years to come ;: and,’ befides, he. had ordered Powuffen of | 
Begemder to endeavour, by a forced march, to furprife Fafl, . 
then at Gondar, attended by a few troops: Mean time, he - 
diffembled the befthecould; but, ashe hadvery fhrewdpeople » 
to deal with, it was more than probable his fecret was. early; 
difcovered: . 
Every hand being now armed, and all meafures taken, as 
far as human forefight could reach, it was impoflible to de-. 
fer any longer the coming to blows in fome part or: other, . 
On the 24d, at night, advice was received from Adera.Tacca.. 
Georgis; an. officer of Fafil in. Maittha, that he had attack- 
ed Woedage Afahel, who had collected..a number of troops, . 
and was endeavouring to raifé commotions ; and, after an 
obitinate combat; he tad defeated him, and flain or -wound-. 
ed mot: of his followers +: that: Afahel himfelf, wounded 
twice. with a lance, had, by the goodnefs. of his Heed: efcapes _ 
ed, and joined Powuffen in ik Mian 
y THESE. 
