THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 399
Tigre to Gondar, and a mortal hatred had followed her re- fufal. It was therefore reported, that he was heard to fay, he would order the eyes of Welleta Ifrael to be pulled out, if Aylo her fon did not join him. It mult have been a man fuch as Ras Michael that could form fuch a refolution, for Welleta Ifrael's eyes were moll captivating. She was then in the camp with her filler.
A sincle fmall tent had appeared the evening of the 15th on the other fide of the Nile, and, on the morning of the 1 6th, Welleta Ifrael and the tent were miffing: ihc boldly made her efcape in the night. The tent had probably con- cealed her fon Aylo, or fome of his friends, to fhow her the paflage ; for the Nile there was both broad and deep, roll- ing along a prodigious mafs of water, with large, black, flip- pery Hones at the bottom. It was therefore a very arduous, bold undertaking for foldiers and men accuflomed to pais rivers in the day-time ; but for a woman, and in the night, too, with all the hurry that the fear of being intercepted mull have occafioned, it was fo extraordinary as to exceed all belief. But me was conduced by an intrepid leader, for with her deferted Ayto Engedan fon of Kafmati Eflitc, and confequently nephew to Ozoro Welleta Ifrael ; but their own inclinations had given them Hill a nearer relation than the degree received from their parents, or decency mould have permitted. All the camp had trembled for Welleta Ifrael ; and every one now rejoiced that fo bold an attempt had been attended with the fuccefs it merited. It was ne- ceflary, however, to diflemble before Michael, who, intent upon avenging the Agows againft Fafd, carried his reflec- tions at that time no further ; for Aylo's not coming was attributed to the influence of Fafd, whofe government of
2 Damot
