474 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER
fallen from their allegiance, and joined Powuflen and Gufho, at lcaft in councils. The Ras, immediately upon arriving at Gondar, diiTembling what he knew of their treafon, had fent to them to prepare a quantity of flour for the troops that were to pafs their way ; to get together what horfes they could as quietly as poflible ; to fend him word what ftate the ford was in ; and alfo, if Powuflen had made any move- ment forward ; or if Ayto Tesfos, governor of Samen, had ihewn any difpofition to difpute the paffage through Wog- gora into Tigre. Word was immediately returned by the traitor Adero, that the ford was as yet very paflable ; that it was faid Powuflen was marching towards Maitflia ; that Ay- to Tesfos was at home upon his high, rock, the feat of his government, and that no time was to be loft, as he believed he had already flour enough to fuflice ; he added alfo, that it would be dangerous to collect more, for it would give the alarm. This was all received as truth, and a meflenger fent back withorders,that ZorWoldo fliould leave the flourin fmall bags at Ebenaat, and that he fhould himfelf and his father wait the Ras at the ford, with what horfe they had, the fourth day from that,, in the evening,.
The next morning the whole army was in motion. I' had the evening before taken leave of the king in an in- terview which coft me more than almoft any one in my life. The fubftance was, That I was ill in my health, and quite unprepared to attend him into Tigre ; that my heart was fet upon completing the only purpofe of my coming into Abyilinia, without which I fliould return into my own country with difgrace ; that I hoped, through his majeity's influence, Fafil might find fome way for me to accomplifh it ; if not, I trufted foon to fee him return, when I hoped it
would;
