Walad Mikael. 159 however, King John withdrew his forces, and peace negotiations were entered npon. The Egyptian army commenced its return march for Massawa on the 19th April.

Ratib now returned to Cairo, leaving Osman Pasha in command at Massawa.

Walad* Mikael, a former Governor of the Hamasin, walad and hereditary ruler of Hamasin and Bogos, who had joined the Egyptians during the campaign, now occupied himself in making a raid against the Hamasin territory of Abyssinia, which he laid waste in all directions. He then retired into Bogos and remained for some time at the Senhit Fort under protection of the Egyptians, who kept him as a menace to King John. The latter employed another chief, Sheila Khan Alula, to watch him and to retaliate by ravaging the Bogos and Ailefc countries.

Menelik, King of Shoa, meanwhile had marched against King John, under the impression that he was worsted by the Egyptians, but he now returned to his own country.

The peace negotiations had come to an abrupt termination on account of the proceedings of Mikael, but in June, 1876, the King sent an envoy to Cairo to endeavour to have the boundary fixed, to secure certain privileges for Abyssinia at the Port of Massawa, and to obtain an Abuna (high priest) to fill the place of one who had died ; offering at the same time the surrender of Hamasin if Walad Mikael was given up to him. The King's representative was retained at Cairo, on one pretext or another, till December, when he was released through the influence of the British Consul.

Gordon's Operations, 1876-1879.

Early in 1876, Gordon made preparations for Gessi to 1876 -proceed to Lake Albert Nyanza with two lifeboats, while he himself proceeded towards Lake Victoria.

He had now surveyed the river from Khartum to Dufile, Gessi and from Foweira to Mruli. .Gessi started in March, and LakAfbert succeeded in circumnavigating the lake in nine days, find- Nyanza, ing it to be only 140 miles long and 50 miles wide. The natives showed themselves hostile, and the west coast was inaccessible.

* OrWolda.