A454. TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
ed him they knew of no ford but the common one of De- 
lakus, about eight miles below; that it was true it was not 
good, and it was deeper than ordinary, as the rainy feafon 
had begun early, but that it was fo perfectly fordable that 
all the country people had gone with affes loaded with but- 
ter and honey, and other provifions, for the market of Gon- 
dar laft week ; from whence they inferred that he could 
eafily ford it, and fafely, even with loaded mules. They 
advifed him farther, as the night was dry, and the rain fell 
generally in the day, to lofe no time, but to collect his 
troops, weary as they were, as foon as poflible, and fend 
the heavy baggage before; that there was no river or tor- 
rent in their way, but Amlac Ohha, which, at that time of 
night, was at its loweit, and they might then pafs it at their 
leifure, while he covered them with his troops behind; 
‘that in fuch cafe they might all be fafe over the ford by 
the time the fun became to be hot in the morning, about 
which hour they did not doubt he would be attacked by 
‘Welleta Yafous. They faid farther, that, though they could 
claim little merit, being prifoners, by offering to be his 
guides, yet he might perhaps find his ufe in the meafure, 
and would thereby prove their faith and loyalty to the king. 
Attruovcu all this bore the greateft fhew of probability, 
and the lives of the informers were in his hands, that cau- 
tious general would not undertake a ftep of fo much con- 
fequence, as to feparate the rear of the army from the king, 
without further inquiry. There was then in his camp, 
waiting the event of next day, two of the guides who had 
brought them to this ford; a third had gone over the ri- 
ver with Ras Michael. There was likewife in his camp a 
fervant of Nanna Georgis, who had arrived fome days be- 
4 fore 
