. THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 479 
young prince put a direct negative upon ‘it, by declaring 
that he would rather ftay in Gondar, and fall by the hands 
ef his enemies, than either conquer them, or efcape from 
them, by the commiflion of fo enormous a crime. When 
this was publicly known, it procured the king univerfal 
good-will, as was experienced afterwards, when he and Mi- 
chael were finally defeated, and taken prifoners, upon their 
march in return to Gondar. 
near the Tacazzé, they turned fhort upon Mai-Lumi, (the 
THE army nays rapidly towards Walkayt. Being 
River of Limes) the BOTeHHOE of which, as I have already 
faid, in our journey from Mafuah, detained us feveral days 
at Addergey with a view to rob us, upon a report prevailing 
that Ras Michael was defeated at Fagitta. This thief the 
king furprifed and made prifoner, fet fire to his houfe after 
having plundered it, and carried him as hoftage to Tigré, for 
the payment of a fum which ‘he laid upon every village to 
fave them from being fet on fire.. 
Berne now fafely arrived on the banks of the Tacazze,: 
the firft province beyond which is that of Siré, Michael fent 
before him Ayto Tesfos the governor, a man exceedingly be- 
loved, to aflemble all fort of affliftance for pafling the river. 
Every one flocked to the ftream with the utmoft alacrity ; 
the water was deep, andthe baggage wet in crofling, but the 
bottom was good and hard; they paffed both expeditioufly 
and fafely, and were received in Sire, and then in Tigré, with 
every demonftration of joy. 
MicHAgEL, now arrived in his government, fet himfelf fe- 
rioufly to unite every part under his own jurifdiction. It was 
now the rainy feafon; there was no poilibility of taking the 
field, 
