THER SOURCE OF THE NILE. 253 
was to leave, both in fact and appearance,.a pauper. Mules 
are the only beafts for carriage commonly ufed in Aby{finia, 
though bulls and cows, of a particular kind, are bought for 
the purpofe by carriers, merchants, and fuch like, in that 
country, efpecially near the mines or quarries of falt; they 
are very flow, however, and capable of no great burden, 
though very eafily maintained. I had abundance of mules 
ef my own for carrying my inftruments and baggage, and 
the king and Iteghé furnifhed me with others for my own 
_ riding. I had, befides, two favourite horfes, which I intend- 
ed to attempt to carry home, foolifhly enough ; for though F 
thought in my own mind that I was fufficiently informed 
of, and prepared for all forts of hardfhips, I had not forefeen: 
the hundredth part of the difficulties and dangers that were 
then awaiting me. 
On the 6th of Auguft meffengers came from Fafil, and the. 
_ day after from Powuffen, Begemder, Gojam, Damot, and 
Maittha, which provinces, by their deputies, defired that Gu- 
fho might be fet at liberty. This the king agreed to, but 
upon condition that the Ras fhould inftantly. pay him 1000 
ounces of gold, and 500 mufquets, which, on the other fide, 
was as pofitively refufed. Upon this Gufho was put into 
clofe confinement, and heavier irons than before: and, 
what was the moft unjuft, his two fons, who had left their 
own country to-aflift their father in-diftrefs, were confined 
in chains with him, All thefe violent meafures were attribu- 
ted to Ayabdar, Billetana Gueta Tecla, Guebra Mafcal, and 
Bafha Hezekias, officers connected with Ras Michael, whom 
the king had permitted to return from Tigre, and very much. 
confided in their councils. . 
ON: 
