THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 233 
eS itera ¥ 
CH AP. TX. 
‘Tranfaétions at Gondar. 
E went all to Authulé’s houfe to fupper in violent rage, 
fuch anger as is ufual with hungry men. We brought 
with us from the palace three of my brother Baalomaals, 
and one who had ftood to make up the number, though he 
was not in office; his name was Guebra Mafcalj he was a 
fifter’s fon of the Ras, and commanded one third of the troops 
of Tigré, which carried fire-arms, that is about 2000 men. 
He was reputed the- beft officer of that kind that the Ras 
had, and was aman about 30 years of age, fhort, fquare, and 
well made, with a very unpromifing countenance; flat nofe, 
wide mouth, of a very yellow complexion, and much pit- 
ted with the fmall-pox; he had a moft uncommon pre- 
fumption upon the merit of paft fervices, and had the great- 
eft opinion of his own knowledge in the ufe of fire-arms, 
to which he did not fcruple to fay Ras Michael owed all 
his victories. Indeed it was to the good opinion that the Ras 
Mor. Hl Ge had 
