TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA* 
attached to it, while two behind, acting as a sterfis 
endeavoured to direct its movements. Thus they 
at length reached the opposite shore, though car- 
ried by the impetuosity of the stream far below 
the point from which they had set out. On land- 
ing, they fell on their knees, and returned fervent 
thanks to heaven for having delivered them out 
of this balance. 
Having overcome these fortoidable natural ob- 
stacles, the Portuguese now made their way^ 
with difficulty, through the kingdom of Cambat. 
They then reached Alaba, a Moorish territory^ 
the governor of which judged them persons who 
ought to be inquired into. There chanced to 
be at hand an Abyssinian schismatic^ who assur- 
ed him that they were on their way to bring from 
India a body of Portuguese troops, with a view 
to the total extirpation of the Mahometan faith. 
He considered himself, therefore, as acting a very 
lenient part when he spared their lives, and mere- 
ly gave them instructions to return as they came. 
The travellers, accordingly, thought themselves 
too happy in again reaching Abyssinia alive^ 
without any farther attempt to fulfil the object of 
their mission.* 
Jerome Lobo set sail from Lisbon in March, 
and arrived at Goa on the l6th of December 
* tellez Ethiopia a Alta IV. 2—10, 
