42 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
Benero (such is the title assumed by the sovereign 
of Narea) being subject to Abyssinia, the travellers 
were received with every species of outward cour- 
tesy ; but that prince is believed to have viewed 
their mission with great jealousy. He understood 
it to be sent with the view of bringing Portuguese 
troops into Abyssinia, the consequence of which 
might be, that the whole country might be sub- 
jected to foreigners, and compelled to embrace the 
Catholic religion. He called therefore a council 
of his nobles, to contrive, if possible, some method 
of arresting their progress, without giving offence 
to the court of Abyssinia. After much delibera- 
tion, it was determined, that, instead of pointing 
out the proper road to the sea coast, they should 
be directed to one so remote and circuitous, as to 
make it next to impossible that they should ever 
reach their destination. With this view, they were 
advised to go by Gingiro and Cambat to Cape 
Guardafui ; and as the ambassador of Gingiro hap- 
pened to be then at Narea, he undertook to be- 
come their guide. Their dangers began imme- 
diately. They first entered a country entirely 
possessed by the Galla, and through which parties 
of those savages were continually scouring. To 
avoid them, it was necessary to travel only under 
night, and to hide themselves during the day in 
the forests and bushes. In this manner they tra- 
velled for four or five days, when, descending a 
