THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 541
was needlefs, for it was given me by FafiTs order, and coft him nothing.
There we learned, that on our way we mould meet a party of about 200 men, who had been fent by Fafil to take poffeflion of a poll before we came to Roo, left, having in- telligence of us, fome of the Maitfha people, whofe houfes had been deilroyed, might follow us when we were parted from the army. The jumper told us that his brother had the command of that party, that they were all Galla of FafiTs own nation, under his brother, who was called the Lamb, and who was juft fuch a murderer and robber as himfelf. I was juft rifing to go out of his tent when Zor Woldo, who was fitting behind me, informed me, there were news from Gondar. I afked him how he knew that ? He faid, he heard the people fay fo from without. A fudden trepida- tion now feized me, as I was afraid of fome new trick, or obftacle, which might impede the journey, the accomplifh- ment of which I fo much longed for.
Upon going towards my tent I was met by Strates, and another Greek, with a fervant of Ozoro Either, with whom I was well acquainted : they had left Fafil at Bamba, whofe wild Galla were not yet all difmiffed, and he himfelf feemed not determined whether he fhould go to Gondar or not. They told me that all was in confuiion at Gondar; that Gufho of Amhara, and Powuflen of Begemder, had been there, and brought fome trifle of money, for a mere pretence, to that wretch Socinios, whom the Iteghe unadvifedly had confent- ed to make king; having called Fafil, Gufho, and Powuflen. together to reconcile them, that, united, they might attack Michael. The queen herfelf had been reconciled to Socinios,,
who .
