CHELieUT. 
327 
meet them, and killed both with his own hand; possessing, 
notwithstanding his small and delicate form, such peculiar 
skill in the management of two spears on horseback, that it was 
said in the country to be unequalled. This unexampled exploit 
raised his character as a warrior to the highest pitch ; and the 
particulars of the combat still continue to form a favorite topic of 
conversation among his followers. 
On the succession of Degusmati Gabriel to the command of the 
province of Tigre, Welled Selasse was induced by many insidious 
promises held out to him, to return to Adowa, where, in spite of 
the most solemn protestations to the contrary, he was thrown into 
irons. The day on which this occurrence took place, he has since, 
with a sort of religious superstition considered as the most unfortu- 
i 
j;iate in his life. He did not, however, long remain in confinement; 
for, by the connivance of his keeper, Gueta Samuel, he shortly 
after made his escape and retired to the country of the Galla, who 
on this occasion received him with open arms. ♦ 
The death of Dejus* Gabriel soon followed, when he returned 
once again to Enderta, and being joined by some of his friends, 
made himself master of that province, and in the following year 
entered Tigre ; where, having in several battles overcome Guebra 
Mascal, he raised himself to the high situ3,tion of Governor of all 
the provinces eastward of theTarazze. Once possessed of this high 
power, he successively espoused the claims of Ayto Solomon, the 
son of Tecla Haimanot and of Tecla Georgis, his brother, whom, 
in spite of the combined forces of the chiefs of Amhara, he carried 
^o Gondar and placed on the throne, being in return confirmed, 
* Tlie common abbreviation of Degusmati used in conversation y 
