88 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
dable. The first which he encountered were at 
Teawa, the residence of Fedaile, Shekh of Atbara. 
That chief had transmitted the most ample pro- 
mises of favour and protection, but with the de- 
termination of following an entirely opposite 
course. Soon after the arrival of the party, he 
sent a peremptory demand for a large sum of 
money. This being refused, he immediately with- 
held every accommodation for their journey, and 
soon after evinced his intention of attacking them 
by open force. Mr Bruce, with his little band, 
was for some time kept in a state of siege,; but 
their resolution and superior skill in fire-arms, en- 
abled them to set the chief at defiance. Eedaile 
having then, by fair promises, induced our tra- 
veller to pay him a visit at his own house, attempt- 
ed to assassinate him ; but the intrepidity and 
bodily vigour of Mr Bruce rescued him from this 
danger. Next day, a Moullah, or holy man, 
arriving from his friend the Shekh of Beyla, Fe- 
daile durst not make any farther attempts. Mr 
Bruce, therefore, set out, and passing through 
Beyla, crossed the Nile at Basboch, and arrived 
at Sennaar. The government of that kingdom 
was in a condition to which such barbarous states 
are extremely liable. The hereditary monarch 
retained the pomp and shadow of sovereignty j 
while the real power resided in the commander 
of the army, who was called Shekh Adelan. It 
