64 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
all communication between Gondar and Tigre. On the fide of 
Beleffen, between Lafta and Begemder, was Ras Michael and 
his army. Powuffen and the Begemder troops cut off the 
road to Gojam by Foggora and Dara. Ayto Engedan, who 
was to be confidered as an advanced poft of Fafil, was at 
Tfhemmera, in the way of the Agow and Maitfha, and Coque © 
Abou Barea on the N. W. fide, towards Kuara ; fo that Gon- 
dar was fo completely invefted, that feveral of the people 
died with hunger. 
Ras Micuarx had ordered his own nephew, Tecla and 
Welleta Michael, the king’s mafter of the houfehold, to en- 
deavour to force their way from Tigre to Woggora, and 
open that communication, if poflible, with Gondar; and 
for that purpofe had left him 4000 men in the province of 
Siré, on the other fide of the Tacazzé; and now fcarce was 
his. tent pitched at Mariam-Ohha, when he detached Kefla 
Yafous with 6000 men to force a sunction with Michael 
and Tecla from the Woggora fide. Their orders were, if 
poflible, to draw Tesfos to an engagement, but not to ven- 
ture to ftorm him in the mountain ; for Tesfos’s principal 
poft, the Jews Rock, was inacceffible, where he had plow- 
ed and fowed plentifully for his fubfiftence, and had a quan- 
tity of the pureft running-water at all feafons of the year: 
to irritate Tesfos more, Kefla Yafous was then named gover- 
nor of Samen in his place. This brave and active officer 
had fet out immediately for his command, and it was to 
me the greateft difappointment poffible, that I did not fee 
him. mate 
A.ruoucn Ras Michael had been in council all night, 
the fignal was made to flrike the tents at the firft dawn of 
. : day, 
