CHELICUT. . ■ 363 
of his brother Ay to Manasseli, and of the strong objections which 
they had started against our coming into the country. One of 
these, named Balgudda Hannes,* had gone so far as openly to 
advise, that we should be enticed into the country and afterwards 
murdered. The priests at Aximi had also endeavoured to raise 
an outcry against us, and were actually said to have ordered the 
doors of the churches to be locked, for the purpose of keeping 
out any unlucky spells that we might wish to set upon them. 
They likewise repeatedly urged the Has to be careful of his life, 
as they were assured, that our object was to kill him, and get 
possession of his country:" I was not fool enough to regard 
these extravagancies (he_ observed,) for if God had not been 
on my side, how should I so long have continued my command 
over the unruly people I have had to goveru. Besides, as I 
told them, what can four or five people do Some few (he 
added) even still remain inimical to you ; but the greater part 
feel convinced of your friendly intentions." He concluded with 
saying, as to myself, I shall never cease to pray for your 
king, and, if God spare me, I will before long, with the guns he 
has sent me, establish the Emperor in his rights at Gondar, and 
settle the religion of the country. We all say this is right and 
the other is right in religious matters, but, as Alika Barea has 
told me, 1 believe we shall only wander about in the dark until 
we receive a lesson from you." This he spoke very earnestly. 
Shortly afterwards he requested that I would permit one of the 
* He was father of the Ayto Harmes before mentioned, and his sudden death, wliich 
happened only a month after that of Ayto Manasseh, had a strong effect on the minds of 
the Ahyssiniansj as they considered it to be a judgment upon him for his meditated 
treachery. ' - ■ ^ ■ 
3 A ■ • 
