a voyage to abyssinia-第23章
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oice of so warlike a deputy was that a stop might be put to the inroads of the Galles； who had killed one viceroy； and in a little time after killed this。
It was our custom to meet together every year about Christmas； not only that we might comfort and entertain each other； but likewise that we might relate the progress and success of our missions； and concert all measures that might farther the conversion of the inhabitants。 This year our place of meeting was the Emperor's camp； where the patriarch and superior of the missions were。 I left the place of my abode； and took in my way four fathers； that resided at the distance of two days' journey； so that the company； without reckoning our attendants； was five。 There happened nothing remarkable to us till the last night of our journey； when taking up our lodging at a place belonging to the Empress； a declared enemy to all Catholics； and in particular to the missionaries； we met with a kind reception in appearance； and were lodged in a large stone house covered with wood and straw； which had stood uninhabited so long； that great numbers of red ants had taken possession of it； these； as soon as we were laid down； attacked us on all sides； and tormented us so incessantly that we were obliged to call up our domestics。 Having burnt a prodigious number of these troublesome animals； we tried to compose ourselves again； but had scarce closed our eyes before we were awakened by the fire that had seized our lodging。 Our servants； who were fortunately not all gone to bed； perceived the fire as soon as it began； and informed me； who lay nearest the door。 I immediately alarmed all the rest； and nothing was thought of but how to save ourselves and the little goods we had； when； to our great astonishment； we found one of the doors barricaded in such a manner that we could not open it。 Nothing now could have prevented our perishing in the flames had not those who kindled them omitted to fasten that door near which I was lodged。 We were no longer in doubt that the inhabitants of the town had laid a train； and set fire to a neighbouring house； in order to consume us； their measures were so well laid； that the house was in ashes in an instant； and three of our beds were burnt which the violence of the flame would not allow us to carry away。 We spent the rest of the night in the most dismal apprehensions； and found next morning that we had justly charged the inhabitants with the design of destroying us； for the place was entirely abandoned； and those that were conscious of the crime had fled from the punishment。 We continued our journey； and came to Gorgora； where we found the fathers met； and the Emperor with them。
Chapter XII
The author is sent into Tigre。 Is in danger of being poisoned by the breath of a serpent。 Is stung by a serpent。 Is almost killed by eating anchoy。 The people conspire against the missionaries； and distress them。
My superiors intended to send me into the farthest parts of the empire； but the Emperor over…ruled that design； and remanded me to Tigre； where I had resided before。 I passed in my journey by Ganete Ilhos； a palace newly built； and made agreeable by beautiful gardens； and had the honour of paying my respects to the Emperor； who had retired thither； and receiving from him a large present for the finishing of a hospital； which had been begun in the kingdom of Tigre。 After having returned him thanks； I continued my way； and in crossing a desert two days' journey over； was in great danger of my life； for； as I lay on the ground； I perceived myself seized with a pain which forced me to rise； and saw about four yards from me one of those serpents that dart their poison at a distance； although I rose before he came very near me； I yet felt the effects of his poisonous breath； and； if I had lain a little longer； had certainly died； I had recourse to bezoar； a sovereign remedy against these poisons； which I always carried about me。 These serpents are not long； but have a body short and thick； and their bellies speckled with brown； black； and yellow； they have a wide mouth； with which they draw in a great quantity of air； and； having retained it some time； eject it with such force that they kill at four yards' distance。 I only escaped by being somewhat farther from him。 This danger； however； was not much to be regarded in comparison of another which my negligence brought me into。 As I was picking up a skin that lay upon the ground； I was stung by a serpent that left his sting in my finger； I at least picked an extraneous substance about the bigness of a hair out of the wound； which I imagined was the sting。 This slight wound I took little notice of； till my arm grew inflamed all over； in a short time the poison infected my blood； and I felt the most terrible convulsions； which were interpreted as certain signs that my death was near and inevitable。 I received now no benefit from bezoar； the horn of the unicorn； or any of the usual antidotes； but found myself obliged to make use of an extraordinary remedy； which I submitted to with extreme reluctance。 This submission and obedience brought the blessing of Heaven upon me； nevertheless； I continued indisposed a long time； and had many symptoms which made me fear that all the danger was not yet over。 I then took cloves of garlic； though with a great aversion； both from the taste and smell。 I was in this condition a whole month； always in pain； and taking medicines the most nauseous in the world。 At length youth and a happy constitution surmounted the malignity； and I recovered my former health。
I continued two years at my residence in Tigre； entirely taken up with the duties of the missionpreaching； confessing； baptising and enjoyed a longer quiet and repose than I had ever done since I left Portugal。 During this time one of our fathers； being always sick and of a constitution which the air of Abyssinia was very hurtful to； obtained a permission from our superiors to return to the Indies； I was willing to accompany him through part of his way； and went with him over a desert； at no great distance from my residence； where I found many trees loaded with a kind of fruit； called by the natives anchoy； about the bigness of an apricot； and very yellow； which is much eaten without any ill effect。 I therefore made no scruple of gathering and eating it； without knowing that the inhabitants always peeled it； the rind being a violent purgative； so that； eating the fruit and skin together； I fell into such a disorder as almost brought me to my end。 The ordinary dose is six of these rinds； and I had devoured twenty。
I removed from thence to Debaroa； fifty…four miles nearer the sea； and crossed in my way the desert of the province of Saraoe。 The country is fruitful； pleasant； and populous； there are greater numbers of Moors in these parts than in any other province of Abyssinia； and the Abyssins of this country are not much better than the Moors。
I was at Debaroa when the prosecution was first set on foot against the Catholics。 Sultan Segued； who had been so great a favourer of us； was grown old； and his spirit and authority decreased with his strength。 His son； who was arrived at manhood； being weary of waiting so long for the crown he was to inherit； took occasion to blame his father's conduct； and found some reason for censuring all his actions； he even proceeded so far as to give orders sometimes contrary to the Emperor's。 He had embraced the Catholic religion； rather through complaisance than conviction or inclination； and many of the Abyssins who had done the same； waited only for an opportunity of making public profession of the ancient erroneous opinions； and of re…uniting themselves to the Church of Alexandria。 So artfully can this people dissemble their sentiments that we had not been able hitherto to distinguish our real from our pretended favourers； but as soon as this Prince began to give evident tokens of his hatred； even in the lifetime of the Emperor； we saw all the courtiers and governors who had treated us with such a show of friendship declare against us； and persecute us as disturbers of the public tranquillity； who had come into Aethiopia with no other intention than to a
