Bui. 
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 11§ 
burnt all their crops and villages: that he fometimes did not 
think himfelf fafe in Teawa, and that a load of falt had not 
been fuffered to pafs for feveral months ; which, indeed, was 
the reafon why the Arabs of Atbara were come fo near Ras 
el Feel, and that the king’s horfe were procured fo readily 
at the firft coming.” This traitor, however, added, “ That 
if, by any means, I could advance to him at Teawa, I need 
not take any thought about the reft of the journey; and 
that it was better I {hould come quietly and quickly, without 
writing to Sennaar before-hand: and he concluded with 
great profeflions of refpect and friendfhip for me.” 
Ir had been very cold, and more than ufual rainy, fince 
the beginning of February ; the gth was a day of clofe rain} 
and this, being earlier than common, very much difcou- 
raged the foldiers who were naked, and, therefore, very fen- 
fible of cold, or rain, and, as I have before faid, never can be 
brought to engage willingly, unlefs under the influence of 
a warm fun. oe 
ey 
_ Ar laft the cries of the people flying into Gondar, feeka 
ing protection from the cruelties of the rebels, determined 
the Ras to march out, and fet his all upon the fortune of a 
battle. The rifk was not thought great, as he had been all his 
life in ufe to conquer; had a better army at that time than 
ever he commanded; the Begemder troops, too, in whom the 
rebels trufted moft, were but thofe which he and his men 
hhad beaten at Nefas Mufa, although led by a very brave 
and valiant officer, Mariam Barea. All this was true; but 
then, fince that period, thefe troops of Begemder had been 
conftantly led by himfelf, had been trained, and difciplined 
with the old troops of Tigré, and taught to conquer with 
P2 them, 
