460 
MASSOWAH. 
" July 14. — I went on board the Panther in the morning to make 
preparations for our departure. The day was extremely hot, the 
thermometer being at 96° a few minutes after sun-rise, in the shade 
of a house with stone walls. In the course of the day, three of the 
Christians, who came down with the kafila, paid their respects to us. 
They seemed much pleased at the idea of our visiting their 
country, and answered with great willingness all our inquiries in 
spite of Abou Yusuff, who was greatly displeased at their coming, 
and spoke to them with much harshness. They told us that all 
was well on the road, and that the Tacazza was passable at all 
times and seasons, on rafts kept for that purpose. Each of the men 
had a blue fillet of silk round his neck, a badge of Christianity men- 
tioned by Bruce ; they were stout, robust people, with short and 
almost woollv hair. 
" July 1 5 . — We were engaged all the morning in packing and 
securing our baggage. In the evening some Mussulmauns from 
Gondar paid us a visit, one of whom spoke Arabic, and appeared to 
be a man of much information. Among other particulars we learned 
from him, that the present Ras of Abyssinia is a son ofKefla Yasous, 
that Axum is one day's journey from Adowa, and has many curious 
ruins, some of which are in good preservation. The lake Dembea, 
he told us, is about the same distance from Gondar, as Arkeko is 
from Massowah. The head of the Nile gushes out generally from 
one spring, but when there is much rain it forces its way through 
many. It is only five days journey from Gondar, and is perfectly 
easy of access, as all the country belongs to the king. 
" July 16. — We went on board the Panther in the morning, and 
brought on shore such fire arms, ammunition, kc, as Captain Court 
