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CHELICUT. 287 
the Ras, he still felt a considerable degree of personal attach- 
ment to him ; and with the true spirit belonging to the fol- 
lowers of a feudal chief, which he had imbibed by a residence 
in the country, could not bear the idea for a moment of his 
being overpowered by his enemies. In consequence of this reso- 
lution, in December 1807, (the disorder in his eyes having 
abated,) he took leave of Ras Gabriel, for whom he entertained a 
great respect, and who, in return, had been so much pleased with 
his conduct, that he presented him, at parting, with a mule, a 
quantity of powder and ball, and five wakeas of gold, and sent 
with him one of his confidential messengers, to speak in his 
favour to the Ras. 
On the 24th he reached Mishekka, where they met with ano- 
ther fall of snow, which lay so thick on the ground that it was 
with difficulty that fliey made their way through it. On the fol- 
lowing day, (being the 29th of Tisas with the Abyssinians, which 
is Christmas day,) he arrived at Segonet, and found Begusmati 
Welled Eyut keeping that festival, who sent them a sheep, 
maiz, and bread. On the 26th he descended the mountains, and 
at night reached an Agow village, about eight miles from the 
Tacazze. On the following day, the river being swollen, they 
found some difficulty in crossing it ; but at length they accom- 
plished this difficult undertaking, and in the evening reached 
Maisada. The 27th brought them to Asgevva ; and the 29th to 
the neighbourhood of Antalo. As the party advanced, the 
country was found to be in great alarm, owing to the near ap- 
proach of Gojee and his Galla, who having obtained possession 
of great part of Lasta, had reached within a day's march of Enderta. 
