CHELICUT. 
277 
Bahri/' or White Sea, and it is said at times to be nearly covered 
with birds. The natives believe in the tradition^ that a large 
city once stood on the site of this vrater, but that it was destroj^ed, 
in his displeasure, by the immediate hand of God. To the south 
of this lake extends the mountainous district of Lasta. 
On the 1st of October, Mr. Pearce left Mocurra, and traversing 
the eastern side of the lake passed through the district of Wofila, 
which was then commanded by Degusmati Gueto, a Christian 
chief, who had married a wife from among the Galla. On the 
same night, after leaving a smaller lake called Guala Ashangee 
on his left, he reached Dufat, a village situated on one of the 
high mountains of Lasta. Here the cold was found intense, and 
an hoar-frost lay upon the ground. The course Mr. Pearce had 
hitherto pursued was nearly south, and the distance between 
each day's journey may be traced on the map. 
On the following day he continued his journey to Sen are,* one 
of the principal towns in the district, where Palambaras Welleda 
Tecla, brother of Has Aylo, Governor of Lasta, at this time 
resided ; the chief himself being a prisoner in the camp of Gojee, 
into whose hands he had fallen in a skirmish on the borders. The 
latter, with all the inherent cruelty of the Galla, had ordered 
one of the fingers of his captive to be cut off ; well knowing the 
disgrace which he should inflict upon him in the eyes of the 
Abyssinians by any species of mutilation. At Senare, Mr. Pearce 
was received with much hospitality, though he evidently perceived 
that the principal people in the country were suspicious with 
^ Senare is said to lie eight miles west of " Jummada Mariam," one of the churches 
excavated in the rock by the Emperor Lalibala, which will hereafter be described. 
