THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 6z 
prize; and though they did not murder or burn, as was 
Michael’s cuftom in his former marches, yet they drove a- 
way all the cattle they could feize, either in Begemder or 
Beleffen. Befides this, a great quantity of provifions of 
every fort poured in from the neighbourhood of Gondar, 
in prefents to the king and great men, though there was 
really famine in that capital, by the roads being every way 
obitructed ; there was plenty, however, in the camp. 
Ir was then the month of December, the faireft time of 
the year, when the fun was in the fouthern tropic, and no 
danger from rain in the day, nor in the night from dew; ~ 
fo that, if the remembrance of the paft had not hung hea- 
vy on fome hearts, it was a party of pleafure,_of the moft 
agreeable kind, to convoy the king to his capital. The priefts 
from all the convents for many miles round, in dreffes of 
_ yellow and white cotton, came, with their croffesand drums, 
in proceflion, and greatly added to the variety of the fcene. 
Among thefe were 300 of the monks of Kofcam, with their 
large croffes, and kettle-drums of filver, the gift of the Iteg- 
hé in the days of her fplendour; at prefent it was very 
doubtful what their future fate was tobe, after their patro- 
nefs had fled from Kofcam. But what moft drew the at- 
‘tention ef all ranks of people, was the appearance of the 
Abuna and Itchegué, whofe character, rank, and dignity ex- 
empted them from. leaving Gondar to meet the king him- 
felf; but they were then in great fear, and in the form of 
criminals, and were treated with very little refpect or cere- 
mony by the foldiers, who confidered. them as enemies. 
Ir will be remembered, upon a report being fpread juft 
after the election of Socinios, that Ras Michael’s affairs were 
3 taking 
