238 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
hear it all by-and-by, only let us ftop the propagation of this 
foolifh ftory.” 
Tue Ras in the inftant fent for us. He was naked, fitting 
on a ftool, anda flave fwathing up his lame leg with a broad 
belt or bandage. I afked him calmly and pleafantly if I 
could be of any fervice to him? He looked at me with a 
grin, the moft ghaftly I ever faw, as half difpleafed. “What! 
fays he, are you all mad? Aylo, what is the matter between 
him and that mifcreant Guebra Mafcal ?’—“ Why, faid I, I 
am come to tell you that myfelf; why do you afk Ayto Ay- 
lo? Guebra Mafcal got drunk, was infolent, and ftruck me. 
I was fober, and beat him, as you will fee by his face; and I 
have now come to you to fay Iam forry that I hfted my 
hand againft your nephew; but he was in the wrong, and 
drunk; and I thought it was better to chaftife him on the 
fpot, than truft him to you, who perhaps might take the 
affair to heart, for we all know your juftice, and that being 
your relation is no excufe when you judge between man 
and man. “I order you, Aylo, fays Michael, as you efteem 
my friendfhip, to tell me the truth, really as it was, and 
without difguife or concealment.” 
Ayto began accordingly to relate the whole hiftory, 
when a fervant called me out to Ozoro Efther. I found with 
her another nephew of the Ras, a much better man, called 
Welleta Selaflé, who came from Kefla Yafous, and Guebra 
Mafcal himfelf, defiring I would forgive and- intercede for 
him, for it was a drunken quarrel without malice. Ozoro 
Efther had told him part. “ Come in with me, faid I, and 
you fhall fee I never will leave the Ras till he forgive him.” 
“Let him punith him, fays Welieta Selaflé, he is a bad man, 
but 
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