260 TRAVELS TO. DISCOVER 
tenance or language, and in very few words: “ Tell Kaf- 
mati Fafil from me, that what I am obliged to do by the 
rules of juftice, is not to be meafured either by his inclina- 
tion or power to do wrong. Men have crucified their Sa- 
viour ; and many kings in this country (better men than I 
am) have been, in various manners, flain by their deluded 
fubjects. The race of Solomon, however, God has preferved 
till this day on the throne, where I am now fitting, while 
nothing but the memory of thofe who oppreffled them re- 
mains loaded with the curfes of mankind. I am king of 
this country, and have often been acknowledged as fuch 
by Kafmati Fafil. I will not give up Gufho, but at my own 
time, if ever; nor can he infift upon it, confiftently with 
the duty of a fubject to his fovereign.” Noble words thefe,, 
had he been at the head of an army to enforce them. 
Tus meflage was quickly conveyed to Fafil, who was ad- 
vanced to Azazo, where it met him, and he continued his 
march without halting till he came to Abba Samuel, about 
two miles from Gondar. If was on the 13th of November 
that his army made afhew of encamping at Abba Samuel, 
for there was not above fix tents pitched, and next day, the 
14th, by eight in the morning, a drum and trumpet, guard- 
ed by about a hundred horfe, came immediately under 
the town to the banks of the river Kahha, where the trum- 
pet having founded three times, and the kettle-drum beat 
as often, it was proclaimed, That all manner of perfons, of 
what degree foever, whether fervants of the palace, or others,,. 
fhould inflantly leave Gomdar as they regarded their lives; 
and if any ftaid after this warning, their blood fhould be up- 
en their own head. The whole town, therefore, in an inftant 
was deferred, and very few, even of hisown fervants,remained! 
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