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CHAPTER VII. 
In the course of our journey to Chelicut I had partly ascertained, 
in conversation with Mr.Pearce and Debib, the impracticability 
of proceeding to Gondar, as I had proposed, on account of the 
distracted state of the interior provinces, and the enmity subsisting 
between Ras Welled Selasse and a chief named Guxo, who at 
this time held the command of some of the most important dis- 
tricts eastward of the river Tacazze. In a conference which I 
had with the Ras on the 16th of March, when a long discussion 
took place relative to the subject of my mission, the difficulties 
above mentioned were not only strongly confirmed by him, but 
he also assured me, that it was absolutely impossible for me to 
attempt such a journey, unless I could wait till after the rainy 
season, in October, had subsided, at which time, it was his own 
intention to march w ith an army to Gondar ; for that, if I were to 
venture unprotected on such an expedition, the enmity which 
Guxo bore him would occasion my certain detention, and, in 
all probability my destruction. I own, that I felt inclined to 
have braved even these hazards ; but, on pressing the point, I 
ascertained that the Ras was resolved not to permit it, and I 
knew that it was in vain to contend against his authority, I was 
therefore reluctantly compelled to give up the idea of visiting 
Gondar ; for, with respect to waiting till after the rains, it wm 
