44 
ANTALOW. 
these contests for power between his rival relatives, and to submit 
to the unconstitutional hostilities of his father-in-law against his 
brother, who is invested with the legal authority in civil and mili- 
tary concerns. The Ras told me, however, that he would defer his 
march till we were safe back at Massowah, as during his absence 
the enemy would be anxious to get us into their power ; for, hearing 
that we were come on some mysterious concern, they would be afraid 
that with other dowa (physic), we might have brought poison to 
extirpate the whole army. He concluded by saying, that after we 
had spent a few days with him, we might visit any part of Tigre, 
and that he should be extremely happy to shew us the whole of 
Abyssinia, if God pleased to give him success in the expected con- 
test, were it possible for us to wait so longv 
" I returned him my grateful thanks for the manner in which 
he had opened to me the situation of public affairs, stating at the 
same time, that I considered him thie best judge of the possibility of 
our taking the projected journey to Gondar in safety, and after the 
full explanation which he had given, I could not think, however 
much I had it at heart, of pressing the subject any farther. I hoped 
however, that he would be able to shew us Waldubba; in our 
journey to which place, I should have an opportunity of seeing the 
Jews' rock and the Tacazza. The Jews' rock our interpreter could 
not make out ; but on mentioning it to the Ras, he instantly knew 
it, and told me that he was the first person who ever succeeded in an 
attack upon it. Ras Gabriel of Samen, with whom he some time past 
was at war, shut up Tecla Georgis upon it, whence he was released 
by Ras Welleta Selasse. There are a few Jews yet remaining at 
this place. The Ras assented to my proposal, and promised that I 
