TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
Amhara and Begem der, who were in the queen's 
interest. All these persons merely temporized 
with Michael, till they could find an opportunity 
of overthrowing his power. Besides this internal 
source of dissension, Fasil, the chief of the Galla, 
had seized the fertile southern provinces of Damot, 
Gojam, Maitsha, and Agoumidre, and, with a view 
to extend his footing in Abyssinia, had declared 
his determination to avenge the murder of the late 
king. 
When Mr Bruce arrived at Gondar, the prin- 
cipal persons to whom he was recommended 
happened to be absent. An accident, however, 
soon introduced him at court. Two young princes, 
the grandchildren of the Xteghe, were seized with 
the small-pox ; and Mr Bruce, who, during his stay 
at Tripoli, had acquired a slight knowledge of 
medicine, which rendered him much superior to 
the Abyssinian physicians, was sent for to attend 
them. Their mother, Ozoro Esther, was then as- 
siduously nursing them ; a circumstance which 
threw her and Mr Brace constantly together. Our 
traveller, besides the care he bestowed upon the 
children, was calculated, both by person and man- 
ners, to render himself agreeable to the fair sex ; 
so that, with these opportunities, he soon made great 
progress in the good graces of the princess, who, 
from that time, did every thing in her power to 
render his residence in Abyssinia agreeable, 
7 
