98 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
but chiefly Galla, and fome of thefe had turned Mahometans, 
but that they had no knowledge of any commerce with the 
Weftern, or Atlantic Ocean, though they knew the Eaftern 
or [Indian Ocean, which was nearer; were often ferved with 
Indian goods from Mahometan merchants from thence ; but 
that the Galla had over-run moft of the intermediate coun=-. 
tries, and made the ways dangerous.. 
Arrer Amha Yafous’s: audience with the king, he wait-. 
ed on Ras Michael alfo, to whom. he brought a prefent in. 
gold ; politely excufing himfelf for having brought it in,that: 
form, on account that any other would have been trouble- 
fome, from the length of the way. He well knew, how- 
ever, that an apology was needlefs, and that Ras Micha- 
el never faw any prefent ina more agreeable form than. 
that of gold. I was not at the audience, nor do l know 
what paffed at it; only that, on his introduction, the Ras 
was held up on his feet, and received him ftanding; they. 
then both fat down upon the fame feat, after which they di. 
ned heartily together at Ozoro Efther’s apartment, who came 
from Kofcam on purpofe to prepare their entertainment,, 
and they drank and converfed together till late at night. 
Tue fight of gold, and a thoufand horfe at the junéture,. 
made Ras Michael as light and chearful as a young man of 
twenty-five. No words concerning the government of 
Shoa paffed, nor any proclamation relative to the ftate of 
that province ; and this filence was equal to declare it in- 
dependent, as it was intended, and indeed it had been con- 
fidered as fuch along time before. As I faw Amha Yafous 
eat raw beef like the Abyffinians, I afked him if it was the 
cuftom of other nations to the fouthward? He faid he belie- 
ved 10, if they were not Mahometans; and inquired of me 
36. 
