per 
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. IIe 
THis numerous army of Confederates were all ready, ex- 
pecting the rain would make the Tacazzé impaflable, and 
cut off Michael’s retreat to Tigre. Fafil alone kept them in 
fufpenfe, who, with about 12,000 men, remained at Ibaba, 
_ profeffing to be at peace with Michael, in the mean time 
’ keeping all Maitfha quiet, and waiting for the coming of 
Welleta Yafous, and 20,000 Galla, whom he had fent for 
from the other fide of the Nile, intending, as he {faid, to 
march on the arrival of this reinforcement, and join the 
_ king at Gondar. Although it may well be doubted if ever 
he intended all or any part of this, one thing was very cer- 
tain, that he was fincere in his hatred to Gufho and Po- 
wuffen; he never could forget their treachery in breaking 
their appointment and promife at Court-Ohha, and expofing 
him either to fight Michael fingly, or have his whole coun- 
try burnt and deftroyed. Although Michael had, for thefe 
Jaft months, done every thing in his power to bring back 
to the king fuch people of confideration that poffeffed the 
lands and eftates about Gondar, and were the moft refpect- 
able of their nobility for influence and riches, bred up a- 
bout court, and who did chiefly conftitute it; yet the cruel- 
ty of his executions, his infatiable greed of money and 
power, and the extreme facility with which he broke his 
moft facred engagements, had terrified them from putting 
themfelves into his hand; though they did not raife men, 
or join any fide, but lived privately at a diftance, yet their 
_ abfence from about the king had the very worft effect upon 
his affairs. A great defertion had likewife happened fince 
his coming among his old troops of Tigré, both of officers 
and foldiers. The execution of Guebra Denghel, and other 
two noblemen, had greatly alienated the minds of many of » 
their countrymen and their connections; but, above all, 
his 
