-¥66 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
-a yard of level ground being before it to hinder its inha- 
‘bitants from falling down the precipice. ‘The wood is full 
of lemons and wild citrons, from -which ‘it acquires its 
name. Before the tent, to the «weftward, was a very deep 
valley, which terminated this little plain in a tremendous 
precipice. | 
Tue river Mai-Lumi, rifing above the village, falls into 
-the wood, and there it divides itfelf in two; one branch fur- 
rounds the north of the plain, the other the fouth, and falls 
‘down a rock on each fide of the valley, where they unite, 
and, after having run about a quarter of a mile further, are 
precipitated into a cataract of 150 feet high, and run ina 
«direction fouth-weft into the Tacazzé. The river Mai-Lumi 
was, at this time, but {mall, although it is violent in winter; 
beyond this valley are five hills, and on the top-of each is 
a village. The Shum refides in the one that is in the middle. 
He bade us a feeming hearty welcome, but had malice in 
his heart againft us, and only waited to know for certain- 
ty if it was a proper time to gratify his avarice. A report 
was f{pread about with great confidence, that Ras Michael 
had been defeated by Fafil; that Gondar had rebelled, and 
Woggora was all in arms; fo that it was certain lofs of life 
to attempt the paflage of Lamalmon. 
For our part, we conceived this ftory to be without foun- 
dation, and that, on the contrary, the news were true which 
we had heard at Siré and Adowa, viz. That Michael was vic- 
torious, and Fafil beaten; and we were, therefore, refolved 
to abide by this, as well knowing, that, if the contrary had 
happened, every place between the Tacazzé and Gondar was 
as fatal to us as any thing we were to meet with on Lamail- 
2 ! mon 
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