APPENDIX III. 
xxxiii 
expedition, we often repeated tliat we would much rather die in the country, 
than attempt to return by a road on which we had experienced so much 
danger, tribulation, and misery. 
At last on the 19th March, we arrived at Gondar, where we were received 
with great joy, and were pleasantly lodged in the royal palace. On the 
following day the Emperor, who at this time did not reside in Gondar, but 
at Kaha,* graciously sent for us to an audience ; and after we had made a 
profound reverence, he spoke to us in the following words : 
I embrace you with all my heart. — I welcome you with gladness, and 
congratulate you on your happy arrival. While yet a child, I wished 
ardently to have (men like} you in my kingdom ; on this account, I exceed- 
ingly rejoice at your coming, and I promise you as long as I live, my favour, 
protection, and assistance." 
He then began to interrogate us with respect to the following points : — 
firstly, Where are the tables of Moses? secondly, concerning the Queen of 
Saba? thirdly. In what language will Christ our Lord judge the world? 
fourthly. In what language did he speak when conversing with men, and 
what was the first spoken language ? He asked many other questions 
respecting Europeans, of their customs, and manner of living, which we 
answered in the best way we were able, to the content and satisfaction of 
the Emperor ; who, gratified by our discourse, rose from histhrone, which 
was fashioned like a bed, and spoke thus^ — " this house shall be your 
habitation:" passing in the mean time to take up his residence in another 
habitation contiguous to the one allotted to us. 
On the following day he visited us in person, when we humbly presented, 
a letter sent by the Superior of our mission. The Emperor asked if it were 
from the Pope? to which I answered in the negative, as, from our journey 
having been hastily arranged in Egypt, the news could not yet have reached 
(Rome) of our mission into Ethiopia ; but however I did not doubt, so soon 
as his Holiness should hear of our arrival, of our fortunate continuance in the 
country, and still more of the many gracious favours which his majesty had 
conferred upon us, he would transmit letters full of paternal and sincere 
affection. For the following fifteen days we stayed at Kaha, and were every 
day consoled and delighted with the visits of the Emperor. At last, on the 
• Spelt Kahha by Mr. Bruce, Vol. IV. p. 132, 
