Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/501

 THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 477

fwimming that dangerous river, and moft of us pafling the night, naked, without tents, provifion, or powder. Nor did he ever think of prefenting himfelf till we had warmed ourfelves by an eafy march in a fine day, when we were every way his fuperiors, and Kefla Yafous in his rear. From all thefe fpecial marks of the favour of an over- ruling Pro- vidence, I do believe ftedfaftly that God will not leave his work half finifhed. " He it is who, governing the whole univerfe, has yet referved fpecially to himfelf the depart- ment of war ; he it is who has ftiled himfelf the God of Battles." The king was very much moved, and, as I con- ceived, perfuaded. He faid, " O Yagoube, go but with me to Tigre, and I will do for you whatever you defire me."— " You do, Sir, faid I, whatever I defire you, and more. I have told you my reafons why that cannot be ; let me flay here • a few months, and wait your return." The king then ad- vifed me to live entirely at Kofcam with the Iteghe, with- out going out unlefs Fafil came to Gondar, and to fend him punctually word how I was treated. Upon this we parted with inexpreffible reluctance. He was a king wor- thy to reign over a better people ; my heart was deeply pe- netrated with thofe marks of favour and condefcenfion which I had uniformly received from him ever fince I enter- ed his palace.

On the 5th of June, while Powuffen, Adero, and the con- fpirators were waiting his paffage through BelefTen, (that is to the S. W.) the king's army marched towards Kofcam, over the mountain Debra Tzai towards Walkayt, and the low, hot provinces of AbyfTmia which lie to the N. E. fo that the diilance between them increafed every day in the greateft proportion poflible.

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