188 - TRAVELS TO DISCOVER ~ 
of his friends without the tent, and till more fo upon our 
being called in together: the Ras was converfing low to two 
priefts, who by their drefs feemed to have come lately from 
Gondar; he paid little regard to either of us, but nodded, and ~ 
afked in Tigré how we did? Three or four fervants, how- 
ever, brought out new fine cotton clothes, which they put 
upon us both; and, upon another nod, feveral officers and 
pricits, and a number of other people, conducted us to the ° 
king, though ftill, as the Ras had {carcely fpoken to us, I 
wondered how this fhould end. After ftaying a little we 
were both introduced; the Likaontes, or judges, fome priefts, 
and my friend the fecretary, ftood about the king, who fat 
in the middle of his tent upon the ftool Guangoul had fat 
down upon; the fecretary held fomething in his lap, and, 
upon Guebra Mafcal’s firft kneeling, bound a _ white 
fillet like a ribband round his forehead, upon which were 
written in black andredink, Mo ambaffa am Nizelet Solomon am 
Negade Sude, “ The lion of the tribe of Judah of the race of 
Solomon has overcome.” The fecretary then declared his 
invefticure; the king had given him in fief, or for military 
-fervice for ever, three large villages -in Dembea, which he 
named, and this was proclaimed afterwards by beat of drum 
at the door of the tent. The king then lkewife prefented 
him with a gold knife, upon which he kifled the ground, 
and arofe. j 
Ir was my turn next to kneel before the king. Whe- 
ther there was any thing particular in my countenance, or 
what fancy came into his head I know not, but when I 
looked him in the face he could fcarce refrain from laugh- 
ing. He hada large chain of gold, with very maffy links, 
which he doubled twice, and then put it over my neck, 
: : while 
