ost usual, is to stab him with
their lances. The nearest relation gives the first thrust, and is
followed by all the rest according to their degrees of kindred; and they
to whom it does not happen to strike while the offender is alive, dip the
points of their lances in his blood to show that they partake in the
revenge. It frequently happens that the relations of the criminal are
for taking the like vengeance for his death, and sometimes pursue this
resolution so far that all those who had any share in the prosecution
lose their lives.

I being informed that these two men were to die, wrote to the viceroy for
his permission to exhort them, before they entered into eternity, to
unite themselves to the Church. My request being granted, I applied
myself to the men, and found one of them so obstinate that he would not
even afford me a hearing, and died in his error. The other I found more
flexible, and wrought upon him so far that he came to my tent to be
instructed. After my care of his eternal welfare had met with such
success, I could not forbear attempting something for his temporal, and
by my endeavours matters were so accommodated that the relations were
willing to grant his life on condition he paid a certain number of cows,
or the value. Their first demand was of a thousand; he offered them
five; they at last were satisfied with twelve, provided they were paid
upon the spot. The Abyssins are extremely charitable, and the women, on
such occasions, will give even their necklaces and pendants, so that,
with what I gave myself, I collected in the camp enough to pay the fine,
and all parties were content.

CHAPTER VIII

The viceroy is offended by his wife. He complains to the Emperor, but
without redress. He meditates a revolt, raises an army, and makes an
attempt to seize upon the author.

We continued our march, and the viceroy having been advertised that some
troops had appeared in a hostile manner on the frontiers, went against
them. I parted from him, and arrived at Fremona, where the Portuguese
expected me with great impatience. I reposited the bones of Don
Christopher de Gama in a decent place, and sent them the May following to
the viceroy of the Indies, together with his arms, which had been
presented me by a gentleman of Abyssinia, and a picture of the Virgin
Mary, which that gallant Portuguese always carried about him.

The viceroy, during all the time he was engaged in this expedition, h