& 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
derogatory to their respective dignities ; and the 
prince then swore upon a silver cross, that he 
would aid and favour the Portuguese to the ut- 
most of his power. He was attended by two hun- 
dred footmen, and the same number mounted on 
horses or mules. So favourable a reception en- 
couraged them immediately to set out for the 
court of Prete Janni, (Prester John), for such is 
the appellation which Alvarez still gives to the 
Abyssinian monarch. They were attended and 
guided by Matthew, the ambassador sent by that 
prince. 
The embassy began to pass that range of high 
mountains which bars on this side the approach 
to Abyssinia. The roads are described as high 
" and rugged and the wet season having com- 
menced, they were often interrupted by storms 
of rain and thunder, so terrible as obliged them 
to seek the shelter of the rocks. Formidable tor- 
rents were then seen pouring down the mountains j 
but as soon as these reached the plain, they were 
soaked and dried up ; nor could our travellers 
learn, that any part of their waters entered the 
Red Sea. However, they soon entered upon a 
scene of much deeper horrors. Here the woods 
were so gloomy and terrible, " that spirits would 
" have been afraid to pass them." The mules 
refused to bear a rider, " and the camels yelled 
" as if they had been possessed with devils.'' 
