THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 479
young prince put a dire<5t negative upon it, by declaring that he would rather flay in Gondar, and fall by the hands of his enemies, than either conquer them, or efcape from them, by the commimon of fo enormous a crime. When this was publicly known, it procured the king univerfal good-will, as was experienced afterwards, when he ar.d Mi- chael were finally defeated, and taken prifoners, upon their march in return to Gondar-
The army' advanced rapidly towards Walkayt. Being near the Tacazze, they turned fhort upon Mai-Lumi, (the River of Limes) the governor of which, as I have already faid, in our journey from Mafuah, detained us feveral days at Addergey with a view to rob us, upon a report prevailing that Ras Michael was defeated at Fagitta. This thief the king furprifed and made prifoner, fet lire to his houfe after having plundered it, and carried him as hoftage to Tigre, for the payment of a fum which he laid upon every village to fave them from being fct on fire.
Being now fafely arrived on the banks of the Tacazze, the firft province beyond which is that of Sire, Michael fent before him Ayto Tesfos the governor, a man exceedingly be- loved, to affemble all fort of ailillance for paffing the river. Every one flocked to the ftream with the utmoft alacrity ; the water was deep, and the baggage wet in cro fling, but the bottom was good and hard ; they palled both expeditioufly and fafely, andwere received in Sire, and then in Tigre, with every demonflration of joy
Michael, now arrived in his government, fet himfelf fe- rioully to unite every part under his own jurisdiction. Itwas now the rainy feafon ; there was no poflibility. of taking the
field,.
