THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 417
"bling troops, and had committed fome cruelties upon the king's fervants in Maitma ; but this, he imagined, was at the inftigation of Fafil, for he never was known to have been connected either with PowufTen or Guflio. He told me after, under the feal of fecrecy, that Ras Michael had halted two days at Derdera ; that, upon a meffage he had received from Begemder, he had broke out into violent paf- fions againft Gufho and PowufTen, calling them liars and traitors, in the openelt manner ; that a council had been held at Derdera, in prefence of the king, where it was in deliberation whether the army mould not turn fhort into Begemder, to force that province to join them ; but that it was carried, for the fake of the Agows, to fend PowufTen a fummons to join him for the laft time : that, in the mean while, they fhould march flraight with the greatefl dili- gence to meet Fafil, and give him battle, then return, and reduce to proper fubordinadon both Begemder and Amhara.
This was the very worft news I could poffibly receive ac- cording to the refolutions that I had then taken, for I was within about fourteen miles of the great cataract, and it was probable I never again fhould be fo near, were it even always acceffible ; to pafs, therefore, without feeing it, was worfe, in my own thoughts, than any danger that could threaten me.
Negade Ras Mahomet was a fober plain man, of excel- lent underflanding, and univerfal good character for truth and integrity ; and, as fuch, very much in the favour both of the King and Ras Michael. I therefore opened my in- tentions to him without referve, deiiring his advice how to
Vol. III. 3 G manage
