Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/482

 4jS TRAVELS TO DISCOVER

The ground was all firm and level between Keki and the Avoley, a fpace of about 15 miles.

Ras Michael halted after palling the Kelti, and fent on the Fit-Auraris about five miles before him ; he then ordered what quantity of flour, or provifions of any kind could be found, to beidiftributed among the men, and directed them to refrefh themfelves for an hour before they again be- gan their march, becaufe they might expect foon to engage with Fafil. The day being clear, and the fun hot, thofe that the cold affected, from the pafTage of lafl: night, began to recover their former health and agility; their clothes were now all dry, clean wafhed, and comfortable ; and had it not been for the fatigue that remained from the two lafl: days, and the fliort allowance to which they were reduced, per- haps there were few occafions wherein the army was fitter for an engagement. Being now difembarrafled from dan- gerous rivers, they were on dry folid ground, which they had often marched over before in triumph, and where all the villages around them, lying in ruins, put them in mind of many victorious campaigns, and efpecially the recent one at Fagitta over this fame Fafil. Add to all this, they were on their way home to Gondar, and that alone made them march with a tenfold alacrity. Gondar, they thought, was to be the end of all their cares, a place of relaxation and eafe for the red of the rainy feafon.

It was between twelve and one we heard the Fit-Auraris engaged, and there was fharp firing on both fides, which foon ceafed. Michael ordered his army immediately to halt; he and the king, and Billetana GuetaTecla, commanded the van ; Welleta Michael, and AytoTesfos of Sire, the rear. Having

marched