CHELICUT. 
291 
miles back to the plains of Maizella. Beyond this point, Gojee 
had always declared that nothing should induce him to retreat. 
The Has, at the same time, took up his encampment for the 
night close to the Ain Tacazze, and a flag of truce was sent for 
the last time to Gojee, olFering terms of accommodation ; but the 
latter flew into a violent rage at sight of the messenger, and 
swore, that, if he returned again, he would cleave him from head 
to foot ; bidding him, with a sneer, to return to the Badinsah,'' 
and tell him, that, " before the setting of another sun, he and his 
followers might expect the same destruction that the son of 
Michael had met with on that very plain, from the hands of his 
grandfather Alii/' This alluded to the death of Degusmati 
Gabriel, of Tigre, son of Ras Michael, who, it is singular enough 
to observe, was actually killed on the plain of Maizella, with the 
greater part of his army, in a battle fought with the Galla under 
Alii, the grandfather of Gojee ; on which account it was reported, 
that Gojee had made choice of it for his present scene of action. 
In consequence, on the following morning the Ras*s army pre- 
pared itself for battle. The musqueteers, according to the mode 
in which they are usually disposed, were sent forward along some 
rising grounds on the flanks; the right being commanded by 
one of the brothers of the Ras, and the left by Palambarus 
Guebra Michael of Temben, while the Ras himself, with the main 
body of the troops, was stationed in the centre. During tlie first 
shock, the Galla (notwithstanding the annoyance they experi- 
enced from the musqueteers) rushed down, making a horrible yell, 
with such tremendous force on the centre, that, for a moment it 
was compelled to give way. The Ras, enraged at the sights 
P p 
