r THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, 507 
Ayto Ayto’s fervant, who was with me, prefently made 
acquaintance with this man, and I trufted him to learn from 
him as much as he knew about Fafil; the refult was, that 
Fafil pretended to be in a violent hurry, from what motive 
was not known; but that he, at the fame time, marched 
very flowly, contrary to his ufual cuftom ; that his fpeech 
and behaviour promifed peace, and that he had hurt no- 
body on the way, but proclaimed conftantly, that all people 
fhould keep their houfes without fear ; that Ayto Woldo of 
Maitfha, a great robber, was his Fit-Auraris, and never diftant 
from him more than three miles; that the troops of A- 
gow, Maitfha, and Damot, were with him, and with fome 
Galla of Gojam and Metchakel compofed the van and cen- 
ter of his army, whilft his rear confifted of wild lawlefs 
Galla, whom he had brought from the other fide of the Nile 
frem Bizamo, his own country, and were commanded by 
Ayto Welleta Yafous, his great confident; that thefe Gal- 
la were half a day generally behind him, and there was 
fome talk that, the fame day, or the next, he was to fend 
thefe invaders home; that he marched as if he was in fear; 
always took ftrong pofts, but had received every body that 
came tohim, either from the country or Gondar, affably 
and kindly enough, but no one knew any thing of his in- 
tentions. 
Azout half paft four o’clock we fell in with Woldo, his 
Fit-Auraris, whom I did not know. Ayto Aylo’s fervant, 
however, was acquainted with him; we afked him fome 
queftions about his mafter, which he anfwered very candid- 
ly anddifcreetly ; on his part he made no inquiry, and feem- 
ed to have little curiofity about us; he had taken his poft, 
and was advancing no farther that night. I made hima 
382 little 
