BRUCE. 
87 
streets of Gondar streamed with blood ; and the 
dead bodies being left unburied, were devoured 
by the hyenas, who came down in large herds 
from the neighbouring mountains. Mr Bruce 
could not stir abroad without meeting spectacles 
which froze his senses with horror ; while his 
sensibility to them, being considered as a proof 
of effeminacy, tended to lower his estimation in 
the eyes of the Abyssinians. Meantime, new re- 
volutions were abroad. The confederates had 
again reinforced their army, and were in a con- 
dition to resume the offensive. Michael marched 
to meet them, and a great battle took place at 
Serbraxos, in which, though claiming the victory, 
he sustained so immense a loss of officers and 
men, as left him soon unable to make head 
against the increasing power of the enemy. He 
retreated upon Gondar ; and retreat, to an un- 
disciplined army, is the sure forerunner of dis- 
persion. The confederates marched to the capi- 
tal, which they quickly subdued, and reduced 
Michael to the state of a prisoner. Mr Bruce 
now felt his stay more than ever irksome ; he 
therefore soKcited, and at length obtained, per- 
mission to depart. 
Our traveller had determined to return home- 
wards by the route of Sennaar and Nubia. This 
introduced a new region to his view ; but it was 
accompanied with dangers which were very formi- 
