264 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
the army, were always ready to contribute as far as poflible, 
to promote what they thought or faw was the object of ag 
purfuits or entertainment. 
I suai only here mention what paffed at the laft in- 
terview I had with the Iteghé, two days before my depar- 
ture. Tenfa Chriftos, who was one of the chief priefts of 
Gondar, was a native of Gojam, and confequently of the 
low church, or a follower of Abba Euftathius, in other 
words, as great an enemy as poflible to the Catholic, or as 
they will call it, she religion of the Franks. He was, however, re- 
puted a perfon of great probity and fanctity of manners, and 
dad been on all occafions rather civil and friendly to me 
when we met, though evidently not defirous of any inti- 
mate sorineRiGns or friendfhip ; and as I, on my part, expec- | 
red little advantage from conne¢ting myfelf with a man of 
his principles, I very willingly kept at all poffible diftance ; 
that [ might run no rifk of difobliging him was my only 
aim. . 
Tuts prieft came often to the Iteghé’s and Ayto Aylo’s, 
with both of whom he was much in favour, and here I 
now happened to meet him, when I was taking my leave | 
in the evening. I beg of you, fays he, Yagoube, as a favour, 
to tell me, now you are immediately going away from this 
country, and you can’ anfwer me without fear, Are you 
really a Frank, or are you net? Sir, faid I, I do not know 
what you mean by fear; I fhou!d as little decline anfwer- 
ing you any queftion you have to afk had I ten years to 
flay, as now I am to quit this country to-morrow: I came 
recommended, and was well received by the king and Ras 
Michael: I neither taught nor preached; no man ever 
P 1 heard 
