458: TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
The ground was all firm and level between Kelti and the 
Avoley, a {pace of about 15 miles. 
Ras Micuaet halted after pafling the Kelti, and fent on 
the Fit-Auraris about five miles before him ; he then ordered 
what ‘quantity of flour, or provifions of any kind could be 
found, to be diftributed among the men, and directed them. 
to refrefh themfelves for an hour before they again be- 
gan their march, becaufe they might expect foon to engage: 
with Fafil. The day being clear, and the fun hot, thofe 
that.the cold affected, from the paflage of-laft night, began 
to recover their former health and agility; their.clothes were ° 
now all dry, clean wafhed, and comfortable ; and had it not: 
been for the fatigue that remained from the two laft days, . 
and the fhort allowance to which they were reduced, per-- 
haps there were few occafions wherein the army. was fitter 
for an engagement. Being now difembarraffed from dan-. 
gerous rivers,. they were on dry folid ground, which they 
had often marched over before in triumph, and where all 
the villages around them, lying in ruins, put them in mind 
-of many victorious campaigns, and efpecially the recent 
one at Fagitta over this fame.Fafil. Add to all this, they were 
on their way home to Gondar,; and that alone made.them. 
march with a tenfold alacrity. Gondar, they thought, was 
to, be the end of all their cares, a place.of. relaxation and 
eafe for the reft of the rainy feafon.. 
Ir was. between twelve and one we heard the Fit-Auraris 
engaged, and there was fharp firing on both fides, which 
foon ceafed. Michael ordered his army immediately to halt; 
he and the king, and Billetana Gueta Tecla, commanded the 
van; Welleta Michael,and AytoTesfos of Siré, the rear. Having. 
| : marched. 
