THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 497 
had got a very plentiful portion of bouza from his fricnds, 
and was, I faw, faft engaged in the purfuit of more, fo I gave 
him a {mall prefent for his good news, and took my leave, 
my mind being full of reflections upon the king’s goodnefs, 
who, after fuch an abfence, and in fo critical a fituation as he 
then was, ftill remembered the trifling purfuits in which he 
had feen me often engaged. 
In the afternoon I received 'a meflage from Ozoro Ether, 
as brought to her by a fervant of Ras Michael. It feems 
the giving up the king’s revenue due from Tigré, and 
all fort of taxes upon the inhabitants, had interefted the 
whole province fo ftrongly, that all of them, as one man, 
endeavoured to remove the obftacle which ftood in the way 
-of the king’s return: Michael, moreover, offered peace and 
pardon to the rebels, certain compenfations, and an amnefty 
of all that was paft. All the friends, both of Netcho and Za 
Menfus, and the other leaders upon the mountain, endea- 
voured to perfuade them to accept the terms offered, whiltt 
all the priefts and hermits, eminent for fanctity, became as 
mediators between them and Ras Michael: this intercourfe, 
though it had no effec upon Za Menfus, had feduced Net- 
cho, and opened a large field for treachery. 
In the midft of this treaty, Kefla Yafous, with a detach- 
ment of chofen men, in a very ftormy night, was appointed 
to afcend up a private path to that part’ of the mountain 
where Netcho kept the principal guard, and being admitted, 
found the garrifon moftly afleep; he furprifed and obliged 
them to furrender, with very little bloodfhed; Za Menfus was 
taken prifoner, and,'while Kefla Yafous conducted him to the 
camp, was met by Guebra Mafcal, who thruft him through 
Vou, UL g3R . with 
