86 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
and inflicted other marks of contumely upon him. Michael 
bore this with feeming indifference. He fent no more fum- 
monfes, but ftrengthened his pofts, and ordered them to be 
continually yvifited. Several attacks of no confequence were 
made by the befieged following large ftones, which were rol- 
led down into the trench, but all to no purpofe. A gene- 
ral attack, however, from the town, was tried the third day, 
by which one well was carried, and many relieved their 
thirft; many died there, and the reft were forced back into 
the town. A capitulation was now offered; but Michael 
anfwered, he waited for the coming of the Naybe. About 
700 people are faid to have died, during the fiege, with thirft ; 
and at laft, there being no profpect of relief, twelve ot the 
leaders were delivered and hanged up at the wells. The 
town furrendered at difcretion, and the foldiers finifhed 
thofe whom thirft had fpared. 
Micuaet then farmed Dixan to the Naybe, who repeo- 
pled it. There was a high and low town, divided from each 
other by a confiderable fpace. In the lower abode Chrif- 
tians, at leaft fo calling themfelves; on the top of the hill 
were the Naybe’s party, who had dug for themfelves a fcan- 
ty well. Saloomé, our guide, was fon of the governor for 
the Naybe. Achmet was the perfon the Moors in the low 
town had confided in ; and the Chriftian chief was a depen- 
dent upon Janni, our Greek friend at Adowa, who had di- 
rection of all the cuftom-houfes in Tigré, and of that at 
Dixan among the reft. | 
Our baggage had pafied the trench, and had reached the 
low town through which Saloomé had conduéted me, 
under pretence of getting a fpeedy fhelter from the heat: 
2 but 
