THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 375 
fhould take the low road by Foggora and Dara, there to join 
the troops of Begemder and Amhara, crofs the Nile at the 
mouth of the lake, above the fecond catara¢t,as itis called, 
and march thence ftraight to Buré, which, by fpeedy march- 
es, might be done in five or fix days. No refolution was ever 
embraced with more alacrity; the caufe of the Agows 
was the caufe of Gondar, or famine would elfe immediate- 
ly follow. The king’s troops and thofe of Michael were all 
ready, and had juft refrefhed themfelves by a. week’s feftivity. 
Gusuo and Powuflen, after having {worn to Michael that 
they never would return without Fafil’s head, decamped next: 
morning with very different intentions in their hearts ; for 
no fooner had they reached Begemder than they entered 
into a confpiracy in form againft Michael, which they had 
long meditated ; they had refolved to make peace with Fa/fil, 
and fwear with hima folemn league, that they were but to: 
have one caufe, one council, and one intereft, till they had 
deprived Michael of his life and dignity. The plan was,, 
that, in hopes to join with them, the army fhould pafs by 
Dara and the mouth of the lake, as aforefaid, between that 
lake, called the lake of Dembea, on‘the north fide, and.an- 
other {mall lake,. which feems formerly to have been part 
-of the great one, and is called Court-ohha; on the fouth is. 
the village of Derdera, and*the church of St Michael. Here’ 
was to be the fcene of action; as foon as Michael advanced: 
to Derdera, Gufho. and Powulflen were to clofe him behind 
en the north ; Fafil, from Maitfha,. was to appear on his: 
front from the fouth, whilfi,. between Court-ohha and the 
lake, in the midft of thefe three armies, Michael was to lofe 
his liberty or his life. The fecret was profoundly Kept, 
though known by many; but every one.was employed im 
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