8^ 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
life, he says, can ever efface from his memory the 
impression of so magnificent a spectacle. 
Bruce had not yet seen Fasil, but at Bamba 
had an interview with that personage. He was 
sitting, wrapped in a lion's skin, with another as 
a carpet under his feet, and a piece of dirty cot- 
ton cloth wrapt round his head. After the com- 
mon salutation, he said no more, and seemed 
disposed to take no notice of our traveller ; but 
the latter pressing upon him his object of visiting 
Gojam and the sources of the Nile, Fasil, without 
absolutely refusing his request, allowed clearly to 
transpire the utter contempt in which he held 
him as a Frank and white man. Mr Bruce on 
this occasion burst into a violent rage, and threw 
out the bitterest taunts at this barbarous chief- 
tain. His wrath so agitated his whole frame, as 
to cause a violent bleeding at the nose, which oc- 
casioned him to be carried home to his lodgings. 
On beginning to cool, he was much discomposed 
on considering the effects which Fasil's resent- 
ment might produce ; and particularly, in think- 
ing that all prospect of visiting the Nile must 
certainly be over. He was much surprised to 
learn, that Fasil, without discomposing himself, 
had given the necessary directions for forwarding 
him to the spot which he wished to visit. This 
intelligence, which he could scarcely at first cre- 
dit, was next morning fully confirmed j and by a 
