CHELICUT. 271 
join the Ras. The flames had by this time enveloped the gate- 
way, but Mr. Pearce undauntedly forced his way through, and 
without sustaining any great injury, safely reached the house. 
Here he found the Ras almost alone with his slaves; none of the 
chiefs having yet arrived to his assistance. Notwithstanding this 
circumstance, and though pieces of fire fell repeatedly on the 
roof under which he was sitting, the old man did not appear in 
any respect discomposed, but gave his orders, with perfect cool- 
ness, for extinguishing the flames, and preventing their farther 
progress. At last, the gateway being burnt down, some of his 
principal chiefs gained admittance, who brought intelligeoce 
respecting the force of the hostile party assembled. 
About this time the kabit, or door-keeper, confessed, that he 
had been offered a bribe by Falambariis Goebra Amlac and 
other chiefs, to admit them on the following night through the 
lower gateway, for the purpose of murdering the Ras. Secrecy 
on this subject was immediately enjoined, from a hope that the 
chiefs might be ensnared in the attempt. In the mean time 
Kouquass Ayio, and a strong body of troops was sent out , to 
make an attack upon the enemy assembled in the plain, and, in a 
partial action which ensued, twelve of the enemy were killed. 
On the following evening, according to the expectations . of the 
Ras, Ayto Jschias and Guebra Amlac were observed, at dusk, 
skulking, in disguise near the lower gateway, in expectation 
of being admitted by the kabit. The Ras being informed of 
this circumstance, Mr. Pearce .and a party of the slaves were 
sent round, and,, coming upon them by surprise, took them all 
prisoners. 
