TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
29 
went as usual by the way of Goa ; but learning 
that the navigation of the Red Sea was rendered 
very dangerous by the Turkish fleets, he deemed it 
inexpedient to hazard his own valuable person, and 
sent forward a secondary character called Ovie- 
do, with some priests of inferior rank. Oviedo ar- 
rived in perfect safety at Arkeeko, whence he pro- 
ceeded to Dobarwa, and was heartily welcomed by 
his countrymen there resident. He then set out 
for the court, but was long detained on the road by 
the multitude of his countrymen, who crowded 
to him for the purpose of confession. At length 
he arrived at the array of the emperor Claudius ; 
where he met with the most friendly reception. A 
body of the most distinguished courtiers soon wait- 
ed on him, announcing the emperor's wish to grant 
him an audience. He was received accordingly 
with great pomp and courtesy, and though, on the 
reading of the letter, which announced the object 
of the embassy, the emperor's countenance suffer- 
ed some change, he soon recovered perfect compo- 
sure. The missionary, however, having obtained 
a private audience, represented to him the enor- 
mous errors under which he laboured, and called 
upon him to consider the obligation under which 
he and his kingdom lay, to pay their whole spi- 
ritual obedience to the successor of St Peter. 
The king replied, that he was exceedingly well 
inclined to the Portuguese \ that he would grant 
