THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 463 
dian he heard a nagareet beat, and knew it to be that of Kefla 
Yafous. This general encamped upon the river Avoley, lea- 
ving his tents and baggage under a proper guard, and had 
marched with the beft and frefheft of his troops to join Mi- 
chael before the engagement. All was joy at meeting, every 
rank of men joined in extolling the merit and conduct of 
their leaders ; and, indeed, it may be fairly faid, the fitua- 
tion of the king and the army. was defperate at that inftant,. 
when thetroops were feparated on different fides of the Nile ;. 
nor could they have been faved but by the fpeedy refolu- 
tion taken by Kefla Yafous to march without lofs of time 
and pafs at the ford of Delakus, and the diligence and acti- 
_vity with which he executed that refolution. 
ALTHOUGH a: good part of Kefla Yafous’s foldiers were 
left at the Avoley, the Ras, as a mark of confidence, gave 
him the command of the rear. We were retreating before 
an enemy, and it was, therefore, the poft of honour, where 
the Ras would have been himfelf, had not Kefla Yafous join- 
ed us. We foon marched the five miles, or thereabout, that: 
remained to the Avoley, and arrived juft as the fun was fet-. 
ting, and there heard from. the fpies that Welleta Yafous 
with his troops had retired again to Goutto, after having 
_ been joined by Woodage Afahel. There again were frefh re-. 
joicings, as every one recovered their baggage and provi-- 
fions, many. rejoined their friends they. had given over as: 
loft at the paflage, and the: whole army prepared their fup-- 
per. All but Ras Michael feemed to have their thoughts 
bent upon fleep and reft; whilft he, the moft infirm and. 
aged of the army, no fooner was under cover of his tent 
than he ordered the drum to beat for affembling a coun- 
ceil... What pafied there I did not know; I believe nothing 
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