4^ TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
session of the Turks, — the deadly enemies of the 
Christian name. There seemed no hope, there- 
fore, of the object being accomplished, unless by 
penetrating along the southern frontier of Abys- 
sinia to the Indian ocean, and thence proceeding 
to Goa. This route, however, being also attend- 
ed with the most imminent dangers and difficul- 
ties, it was determined to chuse by lot the per« 
son who was to undertake it. The lot fell upon 
Antonio Fernandez, a person of sufficient vigour 
md enterprise, who chose for his companion an 
Abyssinian convert, called Fecur Egzie. They 
began by crossing the Nile, at a point where 
there was neither bridge nor boat, but merely a 
loose and ill-constructed raft. They came theri 
into the country of the Gongas, and of the peo- 
ple of Bizamo, called here Caffi^es= These peo- 
ple, heathen, and almost savages, were under a 
species of subjection to Abyssinia ; yet it was 
only by the combined application of threats and 
presents that a passage could be effected through 
their territory^ The travellers passed the Maleg 
after some difficulty in finding the ford, and ar- 
rived soon in the territory of Narea. This king- 
dom consists of a large plain, surrounded by 
mountains. It is fertile, abounding in corn and 
cattle ; and gold, though not produced in the 
country itself, is brought abundantly from the 
south and west. This appears to be the highest 
