APPENDIX V. 
Ixvii 
bably from Egypt) pass through it to the valley (or torrent) of Ollaki," 
^the modern Saiaka), which valley has a great population of mixed 
" people," Here he proceeds to describe the mode of collecting the sand 
in v^hich the gold is found intermingled ; and then adds, that " they wash it 
^' at the wells and purify it, till the gold becomes separated, when they 
" mix it with quicksilver, and melt it in albuwatik (^UJi) ; and this em- 
ployment forms their chief support and maintenance. Many Arabs of 
^' the tribe of Rabbea Ib'n Nuzzar have connected themselves with these 
people, and intermarried with them." Afterwards, in another place, 
describing the land of Aidhab, he remarks, that a governor from the Bujja 
presides over it, and another from the Sultaun of Egypt, who divide the 
" revenue between them. The duty of the governor from Egypt is to 
" provide supplies," (probably for the workmen engaged in the mines,) 
and the governor of the Boja has to guard it from the Habshi." This 
account of the Boja tends very satisfactorily to illustrate the Axum inscrip- 
tion. 
Extract from the Travels of Marco Polo. (Lib. iii. in Ramusio, 
page 59, c. 38.) 
" Abasch is a large province, and is called middle, or second India. The 
chief sovereign of this country is a Christian ; and there are six other 
kings, three of whom are Christians, and three Moors, all subject to his 
authority. — The greater Christian king has his residence in the centre of 
the country. The Moorish king has his jurisdiction near the district of 
" Adem (or as it should be properly written, Adel.) — The Abyssinians are 
*' a very strong people in arms, and great warriors, and have continual 
wars with the Soldan of Adel, and the people of Nubia, and many other 
" nations on their confines ; and hence, from their constant exercise in 
arms, are esteemed the best soldiers in India. 
About the year 1288, as was told me, it happened that the sovereign 
of the Abyssinians had an intention of making a pilgrimage in person to 
the tomb of Christ at Jerusalem, immense numbers of these people 
" going there every year on a similar devotion ; but he was dissuaded by 
" all his barons (chiefs) from it, on account of the great danger he would 
" have had to encounter in passing so many places under the control of the 
