Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 2.djvu/410

, and the enemy were everywhere trodden down and destroyed by the victorious horse, till night put an end to the pursuit.

, in the beginning of the engagement, saved himself by the swiftness of his horse; but 8000 of the mountaineers were slain upon the spot, among whom was Bicané, general to Melca Christos, an excellent officer both for council and the field, and, several other considerable persons, as well inhabitants of Lasta as others, who had taken that side from dislike to the king and his measures.

morning the king went out with his son to see the field of battle, where the prince Facilidas is said to have spoke to this effect in name of the army:- "These men, whom you fee slaughtered on the ground, were neither Pagans nor Mahometans at whose death we should rejoice — they were Christians, lately your subjects and your countrymen, some of them your relations. This is not victory which is gained over ourselves. In killing these you drive the sword into your own entrails. How many men have you slaughtered? How many more have you to kill? We are become a proverb even among the Pagans and Moors for carrying on this war, and for apostatizing, as they fay, from the faith of our ancestors." — The king heard this speech: without reply, and returned manifestly disconsolate to Dancaz; though many times before he had feasted and triumphed for the gaining of a letter victory.

his arrival at Dancaz, he had a conference with the patriarch Alphonso Mendes, who, in a long speech, upbraided him with having deserted the Catholic faith at the