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NARRATIVE
OF THE
BRITISH MISSION TO THEODORE,
KING OF ABYSSINIA;
WITH NOTICES OF THE COUNTRIES TRAVERSED FROM MASSOWAH,
THROUGH THE SOODAN, THE AMHARA, AND BACK TO
ANNESLEY BAY, FROM MAGDALA.
By IIORMUZD lUSSAM, RR.G.S.,
riBST 439IOTAKT POLITICAL BBSII.ENT AT AI.EN. IN CHABCK OF THE MISSIOK.
IN TWO VOLUMES.— Vor,. II.
WITH MAP, PLANS, AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
LONDON: JOHN MUKHAY, ALBEMARLE STKEET.
18GJ).
The Tiylil </ Tiautlatioit u ruciieU.
•^"■^ ANI> C11A1!1N"-OUOSS.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME 11.
CHAPTEK XIII.
THE CAPTIVES REACH KORATA.
Theodore at Zag§ — Letters from — His inquiries about boat-building — An officer dispatched to Mai^dala to release the Captives — Candidates for the Royal Shirt — The Messenger Hailo — Application for Captives' confiscated property — The European artisans reach Korata from Gdfi"at
— Royal present fur the Zoological Society — Royal Revenue — History of Kanti"ba Hailo, ex-Mayor of Gondar — Corres],x)ndence with the King
— A diSiculty looming in the distance — Theodore proposes to invest the members of the Mission with the Royal Shirt — Intelligence of Dr. Beke's arrival at Massowah — Families of the European artisaus reach Korata — Arrival of the liberated Captives — Their reception by the Author Rage 1
ClIArTEil XIV.
TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES.
Theodore decides on the trial of the Captives — His charges against them
— His object — The Captives plea<l culpable — MistranshUion of Earl Russell's and her Majesty's letters — A dilemma — Arrival of a mes- senger from Dr. lieke — The Petition from the relatives of the Captives — The Order of" the Cross and Solomon's Seal" — Another present from Theodore — Dr. Reke's mission injudicious — Ona Mohammed invested with the "Royal Shirt" — Ddbtera DasLa in the royal garments — Visit to Theodore at ZagC [Hjstponed — Alaki I'ngada, the royal Scrilx;
— Reception of the Mission at Zagfi — Theodore's courtesy — Consults with his Chiefs about the departure of the Mission and Captives — His grievances against M. Lejean, the Coptic Patriarch, a German, and Mr. Si)cedy — His opinion of his own subjects — ()ur return to Korata ;il
a J.
1C03749
iv CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTEK XV.
OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED.
Fresli difficulties — M. Bardel and I'ngada Wark — Intestine troubles — The European artisans — Dr. Bekc's mission — Theodore's suspicions aroused — Favourable prognostications — Theodore and his Shirts — Men-milliners — The King's Dispatch-box — Directions given for home- ward route — Reasons for preventing a final meeting between the King and the Captives — Theodore dispenses with the interview — Orders our immediate departure — Arrangements made to re-arrest the Captives Page 66
CHAPTER XVI.
DISGRACE OF THE MISSION.
The released Captives start homewards — The Mission repairs to Zage and is arrested there — Charges made against the Author — Theodore apolo. gizes — The Mission placed under surveillance — Our baggage ransacked
— Present from the King — We destroy all our j^apers — The Captives arrested and brought to Zage — A fresh trial — The King's charges against the Captives and against the Author ■ — He determines to retain the Mission — Theodore unchains the Captives — Craves forgiveness of all the Europeans — The Petition from the relatives of the Captives read
— Theodore's letter to the Queen — We are to be kept as hostages — Theodore's request for artificers from England — The Author's letter to the British Government — Mr. Flad selected to go to England — A native matricide — Theodore and Abyssinian law — Charges against Samuel and two other Aitos — Sympathy for the Mission . . . . 82
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER ARREST AT ZAGE.
Presents ■ from the King — He restores our confiscated jiroperty — His studied courtesy — Theodore not a good marksman — " AVho is your father ? " — Our Queen's birtliday commemorated by the King — Another letter from Dr. l?eke — Theodore kills a man at a blow — Artillery practice — Theodore's account of his strategy and exploits — His nimble- ness — His cruelties at this time — A case of liigh treason — " Shrimps " and "Bob" — The Itege's Mdrgaf — The peninsula and town of Zage — Theodore's "imitation of a steamer" — A native tournament .. 107
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. v
CHAPTER XVIII.
FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR.
Departure from Zage in rear of the royal trocjis — Theodore's courtesy and remorse — We cross the Abai — The King's fickleness — Arrival at Korata — Cholera in the royal camp — Start for Debra Tabor — The Mission accompanies the King to Gdflat — Theodore and taxation — Abyssinian etiquette in drinking — The European artisans reach GafiFat from Korata — Theodore handles a broom — Loses his centre of gravity — The Mission and Captives at Gaflat — The King pays the Author a visit and sips Ilennessy's brandy — Claims Alexander the Great as well as Solomon as his progenitor — Abyssinian hagiography — Theodore and the Bible — The Author arraigned again on fresh charges — The old charges against Consul Cameron and Messrs. Rosenthal and Stem re- l)eated — llieodore susjxjcts our Government — Dr. Beke's movements — Tlie King detains the Author at Debra Tabor — Tame lions — Trial of a Chief for high treason Page 123
CHAPTER XIX.
FROM DEBRA TABOR TO mAgDALA.
We are to be sent to Magdala — Theodore changes his plan — Another out- burst of royal courtesy — The Author arraigned again — We are confined and guarded in the Treasury — A visit from Theodore — We drink healths all round — The King believes he is mad — The titles " GSta " and " Aito" — Order to set out with the King to Magdala — Hailstones on Mount Ciuna — We arc sent forward to Magdala under a guard — Arrival at that fortress — We are placed in fetters — The Author's message to Tln'otlore on the occasion — The preliminary location of the Captives — Kindness of the Chiefs — Aito Samuel's services .. ITjO
CHAPTER XX.
OUR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA.
The Magdala Council — Riis Kidilna Maryara, the Commandant — Rfta Bisawwir — Bitwaddad Daniilsh — Bitwaddad Hallo — Bitwaddad Wusi — Bitwaddad Bjiliri — Dajjiij (lojjd — Bitwaddad Bakal — Bitwaddad ilailo, of ("iialga — liitwaddad Dhafar — Our Warders: — AbA Fdkk — IJasha Bisawwir — Viuihalaka Adam — Ya.shalaka Wark^ .. .. 167
vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTEE XXL
LIFE AT MAGDALA.
Our domestics — A complimentary letter from the King — Relaxation of prison discipline — Samuel and a Tigre Chief at loggerheads — Duties of the petty Chiefs — The Guards at the Gates — JMeditated escape — Escape impracticable — The Metropolitan, Abuna Salama — His character vindicated — His illness and death — His differences with Theodore — Concessions as to quailers — Abyssinian red-tape — The Author's abode
— Abortive sanitary efforts — The Captives' quarters — The Captives menage — Entertainment of public guests — Society and sj'mpathy — Native lady visitors — Water at Mdgdala — Soil and climate — Birds
— Religious inquiry among the native soldiery — Reform movement — Conversions to Christianity from Islam — Christian names — Our own worship Page 187
CHAPTEE XXII.
MARKIAGE AND ETIQUETTE.
Abyssinian marriages — Marriage according to the rites of the National Church — How dissolved — Infidelity of the husbands — Continence of wives married sacrameutally — Theodore's canonical marriage with the daughter of Ras 'Ali — Obliges Mr. Bell to follow his example — His marriage with the daughter of Dajjaj Oob§ • — He gets tired of her — Marries Itamanyo, the wife of a Mussulman Galla — Itamanyo's con- version and devotion — Secondary marriages — Third-degree marriages — Native etiquette — "Girding" — The Shdmma described — Various styles of wearing the same — Modes of Address — Etiquette in presenta- tion — In drinking — Covering the head, an insult — Privilege of priests, monks, and nuns 215
CHAPTEE XXIII.
IIEBELLION AROUND MAGDALA.
Theodore's continued courtesy — He sacks Gondar — He receives her Majesty's letter sent by Mr. Flad — Sends it to the Author, requesting liini to write for the English artisans to be forwarded on from M;issowah — His letter to that effect — 'J'he Author's reply — Theodore repeats his request — The peasantry between Debra Tabor and Magdala become
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. vii
disaffected — The Commandant of Magdala sent in cliains to Debra Tabor — The district of Bagameder rebels — Intercourse between Mag- tlala and the royal camp cut ofif — Rumours of Theodore's having fled to Kwara — His bloodthirstiness at this time — Horrible atrocity per- petrated by a band of rebels — The outrage avenged — Theodore learns a new lesson in cruelty — Honesty and fidelity of Abyssinian servants illustrated — Native agents beyond the fortress protect the messengers of the Mission — How regular intercourse was kept up between the Mission and the coast — Scheme organised for rapid intercommunication between ilagdala and Massowah — Kindness makes friends — The devotion of Mr. Stern's native servants — Where is Theodore? — Rival candidates for the possession of !Magdala — Overtures from Ahmed, the Imam of the Wello-Gallas — Menilck the king of Shoa's futile display — The Wakshum Gobaze and his army retire on the approach of Theo- dore— The Wakshiim's friendliness towards the British Expeditionary force Paire 227
CHAPTEE XXIV.
THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA.
Theodore hoars of the landing of the I'ritish troops — Sir Robert Najiier's Proclamation — Death of Hailo, a messenger — Submission of the Dalanta people — Tlie road oi>en to Magdala — Death and burial of Theodore's sister — TransjKjrt of artillery — The Author sends dispatches to the British camp — Abyssinian mourning for the dead — Native and five European prisoners forwarder! to Mdgdala — Theodore's polite mes- sages and sjxH>ches — Sir Robert Napier's ultimatum — Theodore in }irus|)ect of the imix;nding invasion — He reaches the Dalanta plateau — I'.rcaks faith witii the Dalanta ])roj)le — The Amharas — Messengers arrive from the British camp — The Author released from his chains — Letter and present from Theodore — Communications to and from the British Camp — Tlicodorc reaches the plateau of Salamge .. .. 2rA
ClI Al'T KJi XXV.
THEODOItE AT mAcDAI-A.
Thcwlorc enters Magdala — Tries two Priests for defamation and throe Chiefs for treason — lie returns to Salamgfi — His message to the Author about the advance of the liritisli troops — Ciianges the Magdala garrison — The Euroix-an Captives placed under strict watch — Bitwii<l«la«l
iii CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
Hasani as a soldier and a man — Old acquaintances among our new guard — Magdala garrison re-inforced — "We burn our papers — Theo- dore's second visit to the fortress — Receives the Author in state — His altered appearance — His condescension on the occasion — Is undecided whether he will fight the British or not — Requests the Author to see him buried, in the event of his death — His miscellaneous conversation
— Unshackles Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, and receives them graciously — The King "in labour" — Introduces Prince 'Alamayo to the Author — Abuses his Chiefs at Salamge — Asks them if they are prepared to fight the British — Damash's replj' — A sally from Magdala against the Gallas, an episode — Origin of the expedition — Theodore's charmed rifle — A night attack — The Amharas are successful — Are pursued by the Gallas on their return march — Rout of the Amharas — Letters from the British force at Asbangi — The Mission invited to inspect the great mortar " Sevastopol " — Theodore's queries on Euro- pean warfare — Recounts his troubles — Complains again of Consul Cameron and Mr. Stem — Contrasts his soldiers with the British troops
— All the European Captives are imshackled — The Author's projx)sal to report his Majesty's recent civility to Sir Robert Napier declined — Theodore is anxious for news from the British camp — Esjiics some of our troops descending into the Bashilo valley Page 279
ClIAPTEE XXVI.
THE FALL OF THEODORE.
The European Captives summoned to Salamge by the King — Theodore harangues his troops on the impending invasion by the British — Uoclines communicating with Sir Robert Napier — Release of some of the native prisoners — Cruel massacre of the remainder — The European Captives sent back to Magdala — Letter arrives for Theodore from Sir Robert Napier, which he refuses to receive — The native troops are massed at Salilmge — Theodore attacks the British, is defeated, and wishes for peace — Lieutenant Prideaux dispatched to Sir Robert Napier and returns to Salamge — Is dispatched again with an angry letter from Theodore — The Aullior and his fellow-captives directed to go to the British camp — The Author's interview with Theodore previous to his departure — The Captives reach the British camp in safety — Theodore's letter of apology and proffered gift of cattle to Sir Robert Napier on the morning of Easter Sunday — The Commander-in-Chiefs message in reply — Theodore sets all the European artisans at liberty — Was Theo- dore deceived V — The Author's justification 311
CONTENTS OF VoF.TTME IF.
CHAPTEK XXVII. all's well that ends well.
Nan-ative of events between the 11th and 13th April, 18fi8 — Disjiatch of the proffered cattle to the Britisli camp — Theodore's impression that hostilities were at an end — Mr. Speedy — The King prepares to escape on hearing that his present had not been accepted — His troops decline to accompany him — Prepares for defence — Is abandoned by most of his followers — Some of the Chiefs surrender themselves to Sir Roliert Napier — Theodore attacks a party of British Cavalry — Retreats with a handful of followers and secures the Gates of Magdala — The fortress stormed by the British — Theodore shoots himself — A summary of his career — His surviving wives and children — Did Theodore, before his death, curse the Author? — Visit to Magdala after its fall — The Author charged with the burial of Theodore and the care of his family — Dis- |K>8al of the Chiefs and people of Mdgdala — Contrast — Divine interven- tion— The Army of Rescue — Burial of Theodore — His son, 'Alamayo, made over by his mother to the care of the British — Dismissal of the Magdala Chiefs — The Author proceeds to Dalantawith the royal family — Magdala in flames — Review of the Expeditionary force' — Illness and death of the Queen Teru-Wark — Dismissal of all Abyssinian followers at Senafe — Arrival at ZooUa — Journey to Europe — Dispersion of the late EuroiJean Captives — On British soil once more — Reception by old friends — Recognition by Government of the services and sufferings of the Mission to Abyssinia — Conclusion Page 329
VOL. ir.
LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS
IN THE SECOND VOLmiE.
Action at Arogk Frontispiece.
Order of thk Cross and Solomon's Seal Page 45
Captives' Quarters at Magdala „ 202
Magdala and Salamgk from the foot of Salassk Tofacepaije 279
The Great Mortar "Sevastopol" „ 804
Plan op the Amba Magdala „ 311
Storming of Magdala ,, 329
THE
BRITISH MISSION TO THEODORE,
KING OF ABYSSINIA.
CHAPTEE XIII.
THE CAPTIVES EEACH KORATA.
Tlieodorc at Zage — Letters from — His inquiries aliout l)oat-building — All officer dispatched to Magdala to release the Captives — Candidates for tlie Royal Shirt — The Messenger Hailo — Application for Captives confiscated property — The European artisans reach Korata from (iaffat
— IJoyal present for the Zoological Society — Roj-al Revenue — History of Kantiba Hailo, ex-Maj'or of Gundar — CorresiX)ndence with the King
— A difficulty looming in the distance — Theodore proposes to invest the nieml)ers of the Mission with the Royal Shirt — Intelligence of Dr. Beke's arrival at Ma.ssowah — Families of tlie European artisans roach Korata
— Arrival of the liberated Captives — Their reception by the Author,
\\'e heard this afternoon that the King had come to Zage, the capital of Metcha, situated on a high promontory on the southern side of the Lake, about ten miles from Korata. No one seemed to know anything of his movements, beyond the I'aft that he had encamped at the bottom of a deep bay formed by the Zage peninsula — a long neck of land projecting about three miles into the Lake. The Abai enters the liakc ten miles to the north-west of Zage, runs through it in a strong current round tlie peninsula, and debouches on the south- eastern side of the bay, about the same distance below Zage, IGth. — To-day I received the following letter from the ]\ing, which was sent by water: —
" In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — ono God. " From tho King of kings, Thoodurus. 3Iay it reach Aito VOL. II. H
2 THE CAPTIVES BEACH KOEATA. Chap. XIII.
Ilormuzd TJassain. ITow have you passed the time? I, God be praised, am well. How have your brothers [Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux] passed the time? Ask them from me. After we parted, by the power of God, I found two lion cubs and one young antelope, which I send to you. I have come to Metcha expressly for the purpose of inquiring about your safe arrival at your destination. If God permit, I shall come to see you, by boat." (Without date.)
This letter was brought by two courtiers, named Lij Kasa and Lij Abitu, together with a present from their royal master of two lion cubs and an antelope, which the soldiers had caught on the line of march, in Metcha. The King, having heard that Agafari Golam merely bent to me when we met, sent the poor fellow a severe reprimand, which obliged him, on coming to me for orders this morning, to kneel and kiss the ground. I told him that he might dis- pense with the ceremony, but he declared that it might cost him his life to disobey the Sovereign's order.
To the foregoing letter from the King I replied as follows : —
'' Kordta, 17th February, 1866. " Mosr Gracious Sovereign,
" I had the honour of receiving your gracious letter yesterday, by Lijs Abttri and Kasa, and was glad to find from its contents that your Majesty was in perfect health. I pray Almighty God to continue Ilis blessings towards you, and to show me the light of your countenance soon.
" The two lion cubs and the antelope, which your Majesty has been good enough to send mo, reached me safely, and I return you my best thanks for them, and for the other favours which your Majesty has shown me since I entered j-our country. By the assistance of our Heavenly Father, I trust never to prove unworthy of your great kindness.
" By your favour, we arrived here safely from Wandige, by the Lake, on Thursday last, and were received hosi^itably by
1866. Yep. SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES. 3
Aito Kasa and Aito AVande, in ■\vhoso houses wo arc now residing.
" My companions, Dr. P.lanc and ^fr. Prideaux, desire me to present to j'our INIajesty their respectful compliments; and in recommending you to the protection of our merciful Creator, I remain," &c.
In accordance with the prevailing usage in the countr}-, I had to dispatch one of my o^^n followers, with the returning deputies, to inquire personally for me after the King's health. Being most anxious that Consul Cameron and his fellow- captives should be relieved of their chains as speedily as possible, and knowing, moreover, that Agafari Golam was already charged with the order for their release, I sent his Majesty a verbal message, begging that he would " gladden my lieart " by directing Agafari Golam to proceed to Mag- dala forthwith and bring the European liberated prisoners to me. I had already learnt enough of the King's character to put me on my guard against instating him. A letter might reach him when in an angry mood, and any request preferred at such a time was almost certain to be denied or wilfully misapprehended. Hence, I made it a rule, whenever I had any favour to ask which might possibly be refused, always to send the application through a verbal message, charging those who were intrusted with the same, whether my own followei-s or persons in the King's employ, not to deliver it unless his ^lajesty was known to be in good humour. For- tunately, all his immediate attendants were on the best terms with me, and readily co-operated in this plan of proceeding.
The same courtiers returned the day after with the follow- ing answer to my message on this ocoasiou : —
(After compliments.)
"By tho power of God, when I beard of your safe arrival at Koruta I was extremely rejoiced. Bo of good cheer ; 1 liavo
ij 2
4 THE CAPTIVES REACH KOIIATA. Chap. XHIl
ordered Agafiiri Golam to proceed at once to release the prisoners and bring tliem to you, in order that I may send you to your country.
" With respect to the four double-barrelled fowling-pieces and eight double-barrelled pistols, with their moulds and appurte- nances, which you have broiight to me, M. Bourgaud has written to me to say that he had sent to his brother and obtained them for the purpose of presenting them to me. I have therefore ordered 4,000 dollars to be paid to him by the Nagadnls of Tigre.
" You told me that Mr. Munzinger entertained a sincere regard for me ; and, consequently, when you go T wish to send him by you a token of my esteem. Let me know what will be accept- able, in order that I may prepare it."
(Without date.)
A case containing the arms above alluded to was con- signed to me by Padre Delmonte, on our departure from Massowah, for the French armourer, M. Bourgaud. Not to excite suspicion in the King's mind, I had preferred taking the arms to him — stating at the same time how I became possessed of them — instead of sending them direct from Chalga to the consignee. His Majesty was highly gratified by this mark of deference, and, instead of leaving me to for- ward the case, he undertook to take charge of it himself for his " son " — the name whereby he invariably designated his Euroj)ean artisans.
The reference to Mr. Munzinger arose out of the following circumstance. On my arrival at the Court, the King liad particularly requested me to tell him who were his friends and who his enemies at Massowah. I replied that his enemies were too many to be enumerated ; but that, to the best of my belief, Mr. Munzinger, now British Consular Agent at Mas- sowah, and the Nayib Mohammed, of Harkiko, were well- disposed towards him. This answer highly amused him, and was to him — so he said — a proof of my sincerity, inasmuch as
i8cn. Fer. iioyal queries about boats. 5
Jie knew full well that all the Turks bated him. On that occasion he had promised to send the Xayib, through me, a fine mule, richly caparisoned ; the present for Mr. 3Iun- zinger was left for future consideration.
I received two verbal messages from the King, together ■^vith the foregoing letter : one was to the effect that, before our departure out of the country, he wished to decorate with tlie Royal Shirt all those of my followers who had con- tributed to bring about our meeting, and had served as messengers between us ; in the other, his Majesty apprised me that he had directed his European artisans at Gafiat to build liim some wooden boats to ply on the Lake, instead of the ordinary native canoes made of bulrushes; and that having been told that fresh and salt water possessed diflerent *|ualities which affected the floating, he wished me to enlighten him on the subject. In consequence of this message, a rumour was circulated among the Europeans that the King had requested me and my companions to build boats for hini — an idea which 1 am certain he never entertained, neither was it his jwhcy to lower our dignity by supposing us capable of doing the work of artificers or mechanics. Besides, if such a thought had ever occurred to him, ho would certainly not have hesitated to broach it to mc.
On referring to Agafuri Oolam, who was saiil to have originated the report, he assured mc that he must have been misunderstood, as he had only mentioned the inquiry wliich the King had made of me, through Lij Abitu, tliat s;ime clay.
To ray infinite delight Agafari Golam started for 3Iag- dala this nn.niing. In accordance with thr King's request, I sent with him ^lohammed Sa'kl, one of my messengers, to see tiiat Consul C'aiiioron and liis jtarty wore well attended to on the road.
6 THE CAniVES KEACII KORATA, Chap. XIII..
19fh. — I tlispatcbed the following to the King in reply to his last letter and its accompanying verbal messages : —
"Kordta, 19th Fehruanj, 1866. " Most Geacious Sovereign,
" I had the honour of receiving your letter yesterday by Lij Abitu and Hailo, and I was greatly pleased to learn therefrom of your well-being ; for which I offer my humble thanks to our Lord, the Most High. Thank God, both my companions and I are well, and by your Majesty's favour we are all happy. Dr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux send their respectful compliments to your Majesty.
" 1 beg to return you my most grateful thanks for sending Agafari Golam to Magdala for the purpose of releasing the European prisoners of their fetters, and bringing them at once to me ; and I^also thank you for the liberal payment you have made to M. Bourgaud for the guns and pistols which I brought from Massowah.
" With regard to the present which your Majesty wishes to send to Mr. Munzinger, in consequence of what I had mentioned about his regard for you, I beg to inform j'our Majesty that that gentleman, I am sure, will appreciate any little token of esteem which you may be pleased to send him, were it only a few friendly lines to assure him of your good-Avill. I need not assure your Majesty that I shall be delighted to convey it to him.
" With respect to the wooden boat which you wish to build to ply on the Lake Tuna, I beg to say that such a vessel would answer very well. The only ditfcrence between the Lake water and that of the sea to be taken into consideration in this case is, that the latter, being salt, is more buoyant.
"I feel greatly obliged to your Majesty for the honour you intend to eonfer on some of my followers by decorating them with the Royal Shirt, for the good and faithful service they have rendered to your IMajesty and myself in our communications with each other. The men most deserving of this royal favour are llailo, VVald-Taklu, Mohammed Sa'id, and Mohammed Sihiiwy. The two latter are absent at present : one I had to send with our animals from Wandigu round the Lake, through Diimbca ; and the other I liavc sent to Mdgdala with Agafari Golam,.
18CG. Fed. MOHAMMED SIHAWY. 7
according to your desire. Mohammed Sihawy having com- mitted a fault, I feel it incumbent upon me to report it to your Majesty, and shall leave it to you, after you learn his offence, tu confer the royal distinction on him or not."
Mohammed Siha\\ y, as the reader will remember, was the individual who had told me the falsehood about Cameron's release. I was compelled to include his name as a candi- date for the royal honour, because he was unquestionably the man who had brought about my meeting Avith the King, his Majesty having entrusted him with his letter of invitation to me. Moreover, as I had reason to suspect that Theodore himself was cognizant of the deception which had been practised upon me, 1 did not deem it advisable to manifest any animosity towards his accomplice. The messenger himself reporte 1 that the Nayib of Harkiko had instigated him to fabricate the story, which I believe to be another false- hood. However, I was determined that his Majesty should know what I had to complain of in the man before he was decorated ; hence my reference to his misconduct in the preceding letter, but I also sent him a full account of the case by verbal message.
We were so tortured by vermin that we were obliged to leave the houses of our hospitable hosts, Aito Kasa and Aito Wande, and take to our tents, which we pitched in a liue on an eligible piece of ground near tlie Lake, just above the spot where the priests met us on our first lauding. The fresh breeze from the Lake, and the clear open sky, were luxuries after our sojourn in the filthy town. This side of the Lake being rocky, with a gravelly soil, is much healthier than the opposite or north-western side, where the ground is l<jw and covered with marshes. There are some marshes also to the south-west of Korata, but they are too distant to
8 TPIE CAPTIVES REACH KOEATA. Chap. XIIT.
afl'ect the atmosphere here. We could plainly distinguish the chm-ch of Zage, situated on the top of the promontory, as we looked westward from our tents. The smoke also of the royal camp was discernible behind the lolty peninsula, but the camp itself was hid by the neck of high land whereon the scattered town of Zage is built.
9ist. — Hailo, one of the messengers who carried my second and fifth letter from 31assoAvah to the King, and who had been sent by his Majesty to meet me at 3Iatamma, returned to-day in high glee, decorated with the Eoyal Shirt. This man \\as the most upright of all the messengers who had been employed between the King and myself, and he often served me subsequently, in the same capacity, when I w^as a prisoner at Magdala. On these latter occasions he generally looked as if he did not altogether relish the task ; neverthe- less, his sense of duty always prevailed over his scruples. The last time I emjjloyed him was in May, 1867, Irom >vhich journey he was doomed never to return. When he reached Debra Tabor, on his way back, the whole country between that place and Magdala had risen in rebellion, which effectually prevented his progress as a bearer of a message from the King. He then fell sick, but was brought on when the royal army began to move towards Magdala, his Mnjesty intending to forward him to me as soon as he approached near cnougli to send him in safety. He expired one day before the disjjatch of the royal messengers whom he had hoped to accompany, and who were the first to make their way to us after a lapse of nine months. On his return from Zage to-day, accompanied by Lij Kasa and Lij Abitu, he brought me the following polite but extra- ordinary letter from the King, wherein his Majesty unequi- vocally expresses liis satisfaction at tlic fraud of which
A86G. Feb. IIOYAL ETHICS. 9
3Iobammed Sihawy had Leen giulty, on the groimd that it had been perpetrated with a good intention : —
(After compliments.)
"I wish to decorate these servants [messengers] of youis, •who are present, Avith the Eoyal Shirt. Be not angiy with the servant who infurmed you of the release of Mr. Cameron, I thought that you [i. e., the English] hated me because I delayed answering your letter, 0 sons of the English ; and in order that you might not fear, but come to me from tliat great Queen, he tried in this way to bring about the inter- view between me and you, Aito Hormuzd Kassam, who are a ■great man and my friend. It is necessary that this man should be brought to the notice of the Queen, and j^ou yourself must love him for my sake. I, on my part, on hearing of what he had done, by the power of God, entertained great uflection for him. If you had not come, who would have been able to release the prisoners? And if I had not met you, how could I have obtained your [/. e., the English] friendship? May our Creator from above love, for our sake,_ him who brought about our in- terview and made us friends, and those who are His creatures below will love him also. Please God, I shall reward him. 1 have sent Lij Abitu to Debra Tabor to bring to 30U my Euro- pean friends, in order that they might come and see you."
(Without date.)
Lij Al/itu left me to go. to Gaffat, near Debra Tabor, in order to bring all tlic European artisans to keep mo com- jpany — so he stated — until the arrival of the captives. I received another message from the King to-day, expressing a wish that I should send my interpreters to liim to be de- corated witli the Royal Shirt.
2']nl. — Dispatched the subjoined letter by 'Omar 'Ali and IMohammed Sihawy, togetlier witli llailo, whom the King has appointed a confidential medium of intercourse between him and myself: —
10 THE CAPTIVES EEACH KOEATA. Chap. XUL
'^ Kordta, Tord Fehniurij, 18G6. " Most Gractous Sovereign,
" I had the pleasure to receive your kind letter the day he- fore yesterda}' through Lij Abitu and Hailo, and I was exceed- ingly gratified to learn that your Majesty was quite well, and thinking of me and my companions. The latter desire to be respectfully remembered.
" With regard to Mohammed Siha^y, he was doubtless the one who tried his best to bring about our meeting, which I was so anxious for, and on that account I forgave him the de- ception which he practised upon me. I was not a little grati- fied also on learning that your Majesty had also extended to him your mercy, and pardoned his ofience on account of his good intention of pleasing me.
" I have also to thank jovir Majesty for the honour you in- tend to confer on my interpreters by presenting them with the Roj^al Shirt, and no one can be more worthy of your kindness than 'Omar 'Ali, whom I send to you with Mohammed Sihawy. The reason I am not able to send all those whom you wish to honour is, because I do not like to be left without interpreters, whose services are constantly required."
To this I received a complimentary answer the following day, brought to me by 'Omar 'Ali and his companions.
Having been given to understand that the King, subse- quent to its seizure by his orders, had restored jiart of the property belonging to Consul Cameron and the Missionaries, but had kept back all the books, watches, rings and other small articles, such as keepsakes, ke., which were of little or no value to his Majesty but might be liighly prized by the owners, I had determined to make an attempt to recover them. I did not venture to write to the King on the subject, lest my letter might roacli liiin N\hen he A\as in an angry mood. I tlierefore decided to employ Samuel in the matter, and in reply to a request on my i)art to that effect I received the King's permission to-day, through 'Omar 'Ali, to dispatch
186G. Fei!. CAPTIVES' CONFISCATED PROPERTY. 11
Lim on a message to his Majesty. I accordingly held a long consultation wth Samuel as to the terms which ho should use about the confiscated property, which was said to be partly deposited in the house of Nagadras Gabra-Madhan, at Gondar, and partly at jMagdala. Samuel's advice and con- duct on this occasion convinced me that he was a perfect master of diplomacy, and, moreover, that he was sincerely de- sirous of serving me to the extent of his ability. He left this afternoon with Dasta, my young interpreter, in charge of the following letter. Dasta's mission A\as to ask the King, from me, how he fared, and to receive the decora- tion of tlu' Eoyal Shirt.
"Zoro/rt, 2ith February, 1866. " Most Gracious Sovekeigx,
" I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Majesty's letter of yesterday's date, by 'Omar 'All, Mohammed Sihawy and Hailo, and I beg to return you my sincere thanks for the honour you conferred upon tUem by investing tliem with the Eoyal Hhirt.
" Both my companions and myself are well, and we are glad to find that your Majesty is in perfect health.
" Your Majesty has conferred a great favour upon mc by order- ing Aito Samuel to your Court, agreeably with my desire. His confidential positiou with your Majesty, and my reliance in him, have induced mo to intrust liim with a communication which I luive asked him to make to you. I hope you will not consider it amiss in me for having craved the boon which I have requested him to ask of you. After your great kindness and attention to me, I cannot but hope that you will extend your gracious favour in that behalf."
In accordance w ith my rccpicst, Mr. Thul came to me from Gilffat this afternoon. After the King had ordered the release of CdusuI Cameron an<l llic otiicr captives, and directed that thoy shoukl bo made over to me to take with nu^ on my do- [)artur»' from Abyssinia, T had begg'-d his Mnjesty h) allow
12 THE CAPTIVES REACH KORATA. Chap. XIII.
Mr. and Mrs. Flad and tlieir cliildren, and Messrs. Brandeis, Staiger, Schiller and Essler — wlio were, in fact, prisoners on parole at Gaffat, and who had begged me to urge the request on their behalf — to leave the country at the same time. The King had acceded to my solicitation at once, and told me that I was at liberty to take any persons away with me — even native Abyssinians — who wished to depart out of his .territories. I accordingly sent for Mr. Flad to consult with him about the preparations for the jom'ney, and also regarding the reception of the liberated captives who were expected to xeach Debra Tabor shortly.
26^/i. — Aito Samuel and Dasta returned from the royal camp, the latter greatly elated with his decoration, and the former intensely happy at having executed tlie commission with which I had entrusted him to my entire satisfaction. He handed me the following characteristic reply from his 3Iajesty : —
(After compliments.)
"I acted formerly erroneously, through the devil, without consideration ; and now I have ordered Aito Samuel to see if there is any property [belonging to the prisoners] which he can bring to 3'ou ; and if anylhing has been lost or spoilt, I shall make it good, not merely for the sake of my friendship for the great Queen, but for the friendship which I entertain for you three, and which is sufficient for me. If I can make compensa- tion from my property to you at all, by the help of the Lord, I will do it ; if not, I offer my body. AMien the people [prisoners] reach you in safety, ask Ihom if what they had done was not true; it will be proved to you from their mouth.
" I apprehended that 1 had lost all hopes of your [the English] friendship ; otherwise, I would not have acted so badly.
"Dated iGth of Yekatit."
The King also ordered Aito Samuel to proceed to Magdala as soon as the captives joined me, for the purpose of collecting
18GG. Feb. A LETTER OF THANKS. 13.
and consigning over to me all their remaining property. They were then expected to arrive within four or five days, but unfortunately, owing to tlie inability of most of them to travel fast after their long and painful confinement, they did not join us till the 12th of March, by which time, as the sequel will show, the aspect of things had undergone a change.
21th. — Dispatched the following reply to the King this morning by 'Omar 'Ali and Wald-Gabriel — the latter the suspended interjjreter, whom his Majesty has been pleased to decorate with the Royal Shirt, although at the outset he had objected to him as a translator of our intercommuni- cations : —
"Kordta, 21th February, 18G6. '• Most Gracious Sovereigx,
"Yesterday I had the honour of receiving your letter by Aito Samuel, and I was glad to learn from him that ho left your Majesty in perfect health.
" IJoth my companions, Dr. I'lanc and Mr. Prideaux, and my- self are extremely obliged to your Majesty for your gracious inquiries, and we all send you our respectful regards.
" I have to return you my best and grateful thanks for having granted the favour which 1 asked of you through Aito Samuel, and I pray our merciful Lord to reward you for all your kindness.
" I bog to inform your Majesty' that in consequence of Aito- Samuel's second communication to Kiintiba llailo, Mr, Flad came to mo from Gaffat, agreeably with my request. That gentleman begs me to present you with his respectful compli- ments."
The foregoing allusion to Kantiba Hailo refers to a report which had reached Theodore, that that oflicer had refused to allow Mr. Flad to come to me without a special order to that cfiect. His IMajesty, it ai)pears, had got into a great rage on hearing this, and would have vi^itod tho K;'mtil)a with severe
14 THE CAPTIVES EEACH KORATA. Chap. XIII.
cliastisement, had not Samuel pleaded that there had pro- ' bably been some mistake in the matter.
The King sent his valet, Wald-Gabir, to me this afternoon with a most polite message, inquiring whether I had expended the money which he had given me, as in that case he wished to present me with another similar sum. I replied that through the bounty of our gracious Sovereign and his J\Iajesty's munificence, I was amply provided with funds, and that in the event of needing any I should not hesitate to apply to him.
28th. — The King's European artisans arrived at Korata from Gaff at this morning. They comprised Messrs. Moritz Hall, Schimper, Waldmeier, Salmiiller, Bender, Bourgaud — the remaining two, namely, Messrs. Zander and Mayer, did not come Avith them. In accordance with orders from the Iving they all called upon me, clad in their silk shirts. Mr. Schimper began to narrate to me, in Arabic, his experience of Abyssinia and the Abyssinians since his arrival in the country, warning me not to trust present appearances, however favour- able they might be. Placing the palm of his hand upwards, and then reversing it, he said, " Abyssinia is like that ; but I must say no more, as the walls have ears." After the artisans had stayed a short time with me, they went and pitched their tents, as they had been ordered, beyond the fence of our encampment.
Wald-Gabu* came again this afternoon, bringing me the subjoined letter from the King; also two monkeys and a baboon, which I was to take to England for the Zoological Society, together with the lion cubs and antelope : —
(After compliments.)
" Yashdlaka Wald-Gabir has informed mc that you wished my permission to make the messenger a present. You are the servant of her whom God has exalted and honoured — the Queen
1866. March. THEODORE'S LIBERALITY. 15
of England, and you are also, bj- the power of God, my friend ; consequently, you are not restrained from giving remuneration, except in a way unplcasing to God. Do as you please." " Dated 22nd of Yekatit" (28th February),
AVhen Wald-Gabir came to me on the 27tli \\ith the mes- sage from the King inquiring whether I was out of money, I had expressed a wish that his 3[ajesty would allow rae to give a gratuity to the royal couriers and others, in requital of their services, as it was judged that he would like me to act liberally with his people. The messenger had mentioned this desire on my part to the King ; hence this letter. He sent me the monkeys to replace a pretty one which had been presented to me while passing through Agowmeder, and which he heard I had recently lost. Wald-Gabir was also instructed on the part of his jMajesty to say, that if I wanted silks, or arms, or any other articles, I must not hesitate to apply to him for them, as he considered me in the light of a brother. I returned my best thanks for the kind (•ffcr, stating at the same time that at present I was not in want of anything.
Ist March. — I had not hitherto received the five thousai d
dollars which the King had presented me with on the Ith
of February, when I left him in Agowmeder, hoping all
along to leave the coimtry without taking any portion of it ;
but it having been strongly urged upon me to-day that his
^fajcsty might bo highly oiTcnded if it came to his notice that
1 had deferred accepting his gift, I was constrained to write
and acknowledge its receipt, which I did in the following
terms : —
'' Kordia, Ist March, 18G(). " Most Gracious Sovkrkiox,
" I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Miijcsty's letter on the 22nd day of the month Yekatit, from whilh I was glad to learn that you were in perfect health.
16 THE CAPTIVES IJEACII KORATA. Chap. XIIT.
" Allow me to thank j'our Majesty for the present of monkej-s you so graciously sent me by Yashalaka Wald-Gabir, and also for the handsome gift of five thousand dollars you so kindly sent me through. Aito Samuel, and -which I have duly received. May the Lord reward you out of His bountiful mercies for all your favours ; and, with respectful salutations from my companions and myself, I remain," &c.
The sum above alluded to was paid out of the revenues of Bagameder. That district comprises five chieftainships, eacli paying 70,000 dollars annually to the Sovereign. All the other districts are sub-divided in a similar manner, for fiscal purposes. In addition to that impost, the peasantry gener- ally have to contribute one-fifth of their sheep and cattle. The tolls established throughout the country are another source of royal revenue. Those collected in Chalga — on the high road to the Soodau — averaged 100,000 dollars per annum.
2nd. — The King ordered his artisans to send for their wives from Gafiat, who were to remain with them until the Mission left the country with the released captives. In his message to me on the same subject he stated that, knowing how much Europeans appreciated the society of ladies, he had directed his European servants to send for their families, in order that I might have a little agreeable company at Korata. He also dispatched orders to Agafari Golam to bring the released captives to me without delay.
I received a visit in the course of the day from Kautiba Hailo, the ex-Mayor of Gondar. He was considered a very good Christian, and exceedingly pious withal. During our interview, when not addressing me, he Mas wholly engaged in nuittering prayers. The King reposed such confidence in Iris loyalty that ho appointed him overseer of his European artisans, or their Baldaraba. "When Theodore, then DajjaJ
180G. Makcii. KAXTIBA IIAIL(\ 17
Kasa, began to acquire political power, lie was warmly sup- ported by Kantiba Uailo, who had great influence at Goudar, and who espoused his cause niaiuly owing to his distrust of lias 'Ali, whom he regarded as a questionable convert, and as having embraced Christianity merely for the sake of -extenchng his sway over the Christians. Theodore, who was naturally of a most suspicious disposition, had accepted the Kautiba's aid with some reserve at first, but eventually he adopted him as his foster-father by sucking his thumb, in accordance with the Abyssinian usage on such occasions. Thenceforward Theodore always addressed him as " father ;" but when his powrr began to decline, his distrust of every one around him increased. Even up to the time of which I am \\Titing, Kantiba llailo considered Theodore as the best man living; but soon after my consignment to 3Llgdala, together with my companions, matters assumed another aspect, and he began to regard his adopted royal son in a diflerent light. His zeal for Christianity bordered on fanati- cism, and being a native of Gondar he held the churches there almost in idolatrous veneration. When, in November, 18GC, the King utterly destroyed that capital, ho did not spare one of the forty-eight churches which it contained. This sacrilegious act drew a flood of tears from the mortified Kantiba, who dared not remonstrate at the time, knowing that his life might have been the penalty for any such inter- ference. Ilis grief was duly reported to the King by ill- disposed persons; but as it was contrai-y to Theodore's nature to bring a straightforward charge against any one, he bad given out on tiie occasion that he had destroyed the old apitul because its inhabitants had harboured the rebels, and, more especially, because they liad iu\\ protected the mes- -enger of his "friend" Eassam, and liad allowe<l him to vol.. II. c
18 THE CAniVES REACH KORATA. Chap. XHT.
be plundered not far from the cit)'. Soon after tlie King's return to Debra Tabor, he had the Kantiba arrested and brought two separate charges against him. The first was, that he had sent him a present of grain, which the accused had declined to accept ; the second, that one of the royal female bakers, who had been dismissed by the King, had been received by the Kantiba into his service. The old man's defence was, that owing to his Majesty's bount}" he had more grain than sufficed for his requirements, and that being a disinterested and faithful subject he had ventured to suggest that the royal bounty, in this instance, might be bestowed on some more needy follo^Aer. With respect to the female domestic, that she had been brought up in his house from childhood, and he had made her over to the King in conse- quence of his Majesty's desire to have her, she being con- sidered a good hand at making tef bread ; that when his Majesty had turned her adrift, having no further need of her services, it was quite natural that the woman should revert for a livelihood to her old master, and he could not condemn himself for charitably receiving her again into his house. This most reasonable defence, however, failed to satisfy the King, who forthwith sentenced him to be put in chains until he could adduce some better excuses for his misbehaviour. Thereupon the degraded functionary lost his temper, and claimed to be tried by the laws of the realm as contained in the Fttteh-Negust, declaring that he was ready to be hanged, if found guilty by the statutes. This unexpected retort somewhat excited the King who, turning to the guard, said, " Take the old woman away ! Who or what is the law but myself? Am I not the fountain of it?" To aggravate the Kantiba's misery, the inexorable judge ordered his grandson to be imprisoned with him, simply because he knew him to
I
18GG. Mauch. KAXTIIJA IIAILO. 19
be very fond of hi in, the lad having lost his father — the Kantiba's son-in-law — ■when he was a child. After they were both put into chains, the King demanded that the old man should refund all the money which he had paid him for many years. To this the' Kantiba replied, that not having been given to understand that the money was advanced as a loan, and considering: that it was nothing more than the regular pay from a master to his servant, he had spent it all. The two victims were then put to the dreadful torture of having their hands tied tightly by a rope, wound several times round the body, imtil the blood spirted out. This fiendish punish- ment was persisted in for several weeks until the King, finding that nothing more could be squeezed out of tlie Kantiba, sent him and liis gi-andson to Magdala, where they were retained in chains until the 8th of April, 1868, when they were released together with other incarcerated Chiefs two davs before the engagement with the British army. Kantiba Ilailo was uniforndy kind to me and friendly to the Mission ; on one occasion he received a severe reprimand from the King for having recommended him to permit me to leave the country. Theodore had an idea that the Kantiba was conversant with tlie black art, and in former times, when ho was credulous in such matters, he had a superstitious dread of his occult j)owei.s, but of late he appears to have disregarded them altogetlier ; for one day, while the Kantiba was under torture, he sent to tell the King tliut liis power over him would soon be at an end, inasmuch as it was decreed that his rule would terminate in the fourteenth year of his reign, which was not far off. To this Theodore sent the fol- lowing reply: — "If your prediction be true, you may live long; but if I survive the fourteenth year, yoiir lite sliall be forfeited." "Be it so," was the Kantiba's answer. It is a
L>0 THE CAPTIVES REACH KOEATA. Ciia?. XHI.
singular coincidence that Theodore terminated his existence in the fourteenth year of his reign.
ord. — I received the subjoined note from the King this morning by Wald-Gubir and my messenger Haiio : —
(After compliments.)
" The people [prisoners] whom you want, may the Lord bring to you, and may He cause you to reach your country in safety. May the Lord plant my fricudsliip and goodwill in 3'our hearts, and may He cause you to open my blind eyes.
" Dated 24th of Yekatit."
The messengers ought to have reached me yesterday, but owing to a storm they were driven to a place called Zan- zalima, to tlic north of the Abai outlet. A lady who was on her way to the royal camp ^^'as so terrified when she got near the coast that, fancying the canoe to be in shallow water, she threw herself into the Lake. Fortunately, the canoe-men, who were on tlio alert, rescued her from drowning.
■itJt. — Dispatched the following answer to the King this morning by Wald-Gabir and Hailo : —
''Eoruta, 4th March, 1866. " Most Gracious Sovereign,
" I have received, Avith much pleasure, your gracious and kind letter by AVald-Gabir and Hailo, who only arrived here yester- day morning, owing to the Avinds and heavy sea they en- countered after leaving your coast the da,y before j'esterday. They were driven to the coast of Zanzalima, where Ihey had to spend the niglit. I oftcr my humble thanks to Almighty Cod for their safety.
" I trust ihiit this letter will find your ^Majesty in perfect health, in which happy condition both my cojupanions and ni}-- self are at present. JJr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux beg to be respect- fully remeinl)ered to your IMajcsty.
" I return you my best thanks i'or the good wishes conveyed in your letter midcr reply, and I hope that by your favour and
ISGO. March. A SUSPICIOUS INTDIATIOX. 21
through your prayers we sliall all reach our destinations safely. I need not assure your Majesty that I am ready to leave Abys- sinia for England as soon as I shall obtain your leave, -svhich I hope you will gi-ant mo before long, because I am most anxious that we should quit the Soodan country before the unhealthy season sets in.
" News has reached this place of the arrival of Agafiiri Golam and his companions near Debra Tabor, and 1 doubt not that through your kindness they will soon join me here."
lu the afternoon I received two notes from the captives — one from Consul Cameron and the otlier from j\[r. Stern — int'urmiug mo that they were released from their fetters on the 24th ultimo, and were on the way to join me, but lliat in consequence of physical debility they were obliged to travel verj' slowly.
ijth. — Dispatched messengers to Consul Cameron with a su])ply of money.
(jth. — Eeceived a startling letter from his Majesty to-day, wherein, for the first time since my arrival in Abyssinia, he expressed a wish to "consult" with me when the released captives joined me. It was as follows : —
(After compliments.)
" When the peojde [prisoners] reach you, wc will consult. I liave tried to find some nice silk amongst my property, and also in the market in this countr}', but did not succeed ; but of the silks with which you presented mo, I have sent lluec pieces, Avitli their lining. If th'-v will suit yoii, make shirts of them, and wear thorn for me ; but if you think they will bring any ob- htqtiy on mo — because what Inirts my reputation hurts yours — send mo an answer.
"Dated 28th of Yekutit."
In this communicaliun hi' also, for the first time, proposed to d<corat<! my companions and myself with silk shirts. The
22 THE CAPTIVES REACH KOTIATA. Chap. XIH.
letter, however, was accompanied by a message invoking God as a witness between liis Majesty and myself that I was not to do what would tend to degrade either of us in the eyes of his people ; that he had merely sent the three pieces of silk in order to know which we preferred, in the event of our consenting to have shirts made of them. I found out, on inquiry, that if I accepted the shirts, we should be obliged to wear them when we met the King ; and considering that such an exhibition would have been degrading to our posi- tion as British officers, as well as ridiculous, I determined at once to decline them. Fortunately, the King himself had helped me out of my embarrassment by not sending ready-made shirts, which he certainly would have done had he fully resolved that w'e should wear them. It seemed also very odd that after what he had stated some time before, •svhen he decorated my servants with royal shirts — namely, that he could not think of putting us on the same footing with his own people or any of the Europeans Vfho had pre- ceded us, but that he intended to institute a new Order specially for us — I say, it seems strange that he should so suddenly alter his mind in this respect, and propose placing us on an equality with our own messengers and interpreters. I date the change in the King's conduct towards me, and the misfortunes which eventually befell the members of the Mission and the old captives, from this day. Everything, as the reader may judge for himself, had gone on most prosperously up to this time. Whence, then, this unex- pected alteration in his tone? I fully believe that his Majesty had then heard, as I did two days after, of the arrival of another person at Massowah to intercede for the liberation of the captives. This is by no means improbable, seeing that Dr. Boke reached that place towards the end of January.
18GG. MARCii. WE DECLINE "SHIRTS." 23
How that gentleman's ill-timed intervention militated against the interests of the Mission will be made obvious in the com-se of this narrative.
Ith. — Having, as already stated, declined to ^Yeal' the projGfered shirts, I addressed the following letter to the King
on the subject : —
" Kordta, 1th March, 1866. "Most Ghacious Sovkhkigx,
"I have had the honour of receiving your Majesty's kind letter of the 2Sth of the month Yekatit, and was glad to learn therefrom that you were qiiite well.
" Dr. Blauc and ^Ir. I'rideaux return you their respectful compliments.
" Pray accept my most grateful thanks fur the honour which your Majesty intends to confer upon me and my companions, and also for the things which you were ^o good as to send me by Yashalaka \\'ald-Giibir to select from,
"Be assured that the meanest token (if friendship and good- will coming from your ^lajcsty will always be appreciated and considered by mo a great honour.
"AVhen the above-named Yashalaka Wald-Gubir brought me your giacious message the other day concerning the t>amo sub- ject, I had intrusted your confidant, Aito Samuel, with some matters which I hojiod he would have had an opportunity be- fore now (jf communicating in jterson to your ^Majesty. I trust, however, that when Agafi'iri G»">lam and his companions arrive here, he will be able, with your Majesty's permission, to come to you.
" Commending you to the protection of our Heavenly Father, I remain," &o.
Having left my explanation to bo mmlv by Samuel, I deemed it discreet to retain the silks until I received his ^lajesty's permission to return them. My instructions to Sanuud were to this efiect: that if we had the shirts made, and did not wear them before the King, such a course woidd hardly be becoming; that it was not usual in the Courts
24: TEIE CAPTIVES EEACH KORATA. Cii.vr. XIII.
of Christian Po\\ ers for the representative of a foreign State to appear bsfore a Sovereign in any other than the uni- form of his own Government; that liad Ave been in his Majesty's service the case would have been different, but that as matters stood it would be derogatory to the King if we appeared before him in an uniform different from that which we were bound to Avear before our ON\n Queen.
Dr. Schimper called on me tliis morning with some geolo- gical specimens ; also a sketch-map of the district of Baga- meder, which he] requested me to convey to the Eoyal Geographical Society. As the map A\as not completed as far as Korata, I got Samuel's permission for him to go up to the hills and make the necessary survey. I also obtained the King's sanction to his proposal to make a collection of the fish in the Lake to send to England. I heard sub- sequently that he wrote himself to his Majesty, soliciting pecuniary aid to enable him to carry out his project — an application which surprised the King not a little, as he could not conceive why he should take any interest in Dr. Schimper's ichthyological researches.
Sth. — Mr. Mayer arrived this morning with four brass cannons which had been made at Gaffat by the King's European artisans. They were drawn by horses, and were mounted on the carriages of the guns that had been brought to the King by 'Abd-ur-Rahmau Bey from Egypt, the guns of which had been left at Magdala. As his Majesty is a great hand at making roads by forced labour exacted from the peasantry, these pieces of ordnance were trans- ported through the mountains to Korata witliout much- difficulty.
Dabtera Dasta, the messenger I sent down to Massowalh
186G. March. DK. BEKE. Oj
on the 12th of January with dispatches from Chalga, re- turned to-day with letters from Colonel Merewether and Mr. 3Iunzinger. He was the first to inform me of Dr. Beke's arrival at Massowah, and of the object of his visit. The messenger declared that he had entreated that gentleman, to keep quiet, and not to allow any intimation of his mission to reach the King, otherwise harm might befall us all; that he had taken special care to inform him of the pre- parations which his ^Majesty had made to give us a favourable reception, and that it was the general opinion in Abyssinia that the ca^itives would certainly bo released, and be allowed to leave the country with me ; but the only response ' he could elicit from the gentleman referred to was, that I had no chance of succeeding, and that he was the only person likely to effect the desired object.
When the King heard of the arrival of my messenger from the coast, he sent for him immediately, and kept him at the Court four days, treating him very well, and decorating him with the lloyal Shirt. On his return, I inquired whether the King had questioned him respecting Dr. Beke's mission, lie rejilicd in the negative; nevertheless, I fully believe that he related everything he knew of the subject, but was afraiil to confess to me that he had done so. It will bo noticed tliat in the inllowing note which he brought me on the 15th from the King, his ^lajosty says that Dasta had accpiaiiitcd him with ''other matters" besides the state of alVair^ in 'i'i<riv : —
(After compliments.)
•' Your sci'vant Dasta, who carao from Massowah, h is informed mo of the ro-o-stablislimcnt of order in Tign", and other matters. I'y the power of God, 1 bavo rejnicod greatly. I am glad to
26 THE CAPTIVES llEACH KOEATA. Chap. XIII.
hear of their [the prisoners] safe arrival, and of the good health of yon all.
" Dated Monday, the 4th of Magabit."
9th. — Gave a dinner-party to all the King's European artisans to-day. Just as we had taken our seats at the table, Kantiba Hailo came in from the royal camp, bringing me the following letter from his Majesty : —
After compliments —
" Agafari Golam has sent to inform me that your people [prisoners] had arrived, by the power of God [at Debra Tabor]. I have greatly rejoiced, and I wish you also to be glad. AVald- Gabir informed me that you had wished the doctor to go to him [Consul Cameron]. Very well ; let Aito Samuel go with him at once. When they reach you safely, let me at once know of their arrival, by the power of God, in order that we may have a chat together.
" Dated Friday, the 1st of Magabit."
It was now becoming clear to mo, to my great disappoint- ment, as well from the tenor of the message with which Kantiba Hailo was charged as from the foregoing note, that the King had determined to subject Consul Cameron and his companions to another trial. I had also been questioned whether, after conveying the released captives out of the country, it was my intention to return to Abyssinia as British Agent, his Majesty having expressed a strong wish that I should represent the British Government at his Court. j\ry reply to this was, that I was only a servant and must obey orders. This answer, it appears, did not satisfy the King, for MJion it was repeated to him lie re- marked, " AYliat have I in my hands to ensure Mr. Kassam's return to me ? "
Having been informed to-day that his Majesty Vas
18G6. March. A FORMAL VISIT. 27
particularly anxious to know the import of tho crown and star embroidered on the collar of Dr. Blanc and Lieu- tenant Prideaux's uniform, I sent to tell him that they were symbols indicating the rank of officers in the British army. '
It having been frequently represented to me that the King hated the Magdala captives so intensely that it might result in the fiiilure of the Mission if the latter were brought face to face uith him, I was strongly advised to try and pre- \^-ent a meeting between them. As I was not in a position, however, to protest against any such proceeding on the part of his IMajesty — notwithstanding that he had already forgiven the prisoners and virtually made them over to me in accord- ance with his letter to her Majesty of the 29tli of January — I had intnisted Samuel with a message to induce the Eing to dispense with their attendance upon him ; but that if he were bent on preferring charges against them before me, to allow the case to be proceeded with at Korata. I also urged the trouble which it would give to convey so large a party by water to Zage, and adtluced Consul Cameron's imUsposition as another consideration to lead him to forego his intention of having the released captives brought before him, request- ing his Majesty at the same time to allow me to send Dr. ]ilanc to the Consul — a rccjuest wliicli, as will be seen from the foregoing iKjte, he readily granted.
lOth. — AH the ladies of the King's European artisana who arrived from riaflat yesterday assembled in ]\[r. Waldnicier's tent tliis morning to receive a formal visit from me. They were uU in gorgeous Abyssinian attire, with tlie exception of J\Iadame Bourgaud, a French lady, who wivs dressed in the Kuropean style. Two of tho ladies were tho daughters of tlie late Mr. Bell by an Abyssinian mother: one was married
28 THE CArTIVES EEACH KOEATA. CiiAr. XIII.
to Mr. Waldmeier, and the other to 3Ir. Salmiiller. There were present besides, two daughters of Dr. Schimj)er — also by an Abyssinian mother: one of these was the wife of Mr. Bender, the other the widow of a German named Kunzlin, who had died at Gafiat a few months before. The wives of Messrs. Mayer and Zander were converted Gallas, who had made them excellent helpmates ; and 3Irs. Moritz Hall Avas an Armenian on the father's and an Abyssinian on the mother's side. As they all spoke Amharic only, and Madame Bourgaud knew no other language except her native French, I was obliged to address them through an interpreter.
11th. — I was glad to hear from Consul Cameron to-day that he was a little better, and that we might expect him and his party to-morrow.
12th. — At 1 r.M. the gratifying intelligence reached us that Consul Cameron and his companions had arrived in the vicinity of Korata; but as Agafari Golam had received instructions from the King to hand them over to me in a particular form and order, he kept the poor fellows outside the town nearly an hour, until he had ascertained that he was not approaching me without due notice. Even when, an hour later, he entered our inclosure, there was endless running in and out of my tent on some frivolous errand or other : first, he Avanted Samuel, tlie lung's Baldaraba, to be ready to see the released captiA^es correctly counted ; then he Avished to know Avhether my tent Avas large enough to receive them, or if I Avould not have them counted before me outside. However, I soon brought this farce to an end, and Avas at length rejoiced to Avelcome the unfortunate sufferers. The following is the list of those who joined us on this occasion : —
iJ^r.C. ^Fai:.!!.
TTIK r.F.LKASED ("'APTIYES.
■29
Occupation.
J. D. Cameron
IjHer Britannic Majesty's \ Consul at Jlassowah
Country.
. ,, (Lite Secretary ot ConsuH
J. Kerans . . . . < ^ ■' >
I Cameron (
(Late servant of Cx)nsun|
\ Cameron / 1
.. ' Servant of Consul Cameron
{Late servant of Consul 'I Cameron /,
(■ Painter, and late teacher^ " \ of lanc^uages .. ../
H. A. Stern, Missionaiy
Slissionarv
County, &c.
Inhabitant of.
\. McKelvi, r. Macraire ). Pietro . V. BarJel .
^1 Southpark, (_ Aliascragh.
Down .. .. Downpatrick.
fDepartment oil ,.,. ,
< 11 . ni • / » hnau-va . \ Haute Rhin j
Turin
i, Hosenthal tlrs. K. Hosenthalj >Ir. T. M. Flad.. ilrs. P. Klad V, Ha.1 I
''r. Klad J children \ Flad )
W. SLiiger
I leis
Mi.«isionary
Ireland .
Ireland .
France ,
Ibily .
France .
Cur-IIessen London.
Mecklenburg .. Furstenberg .. London.
Kngland .. ..i London .. .. London.
Wurtembnrg ..| Rentlingen .., L'nlingen.
Ifhcnihh Prussia Treves . . . . Saaibriick.
Taveia.
Department Meuse, Sampigny.
Missionary
Missionary
>N';itui-al history colleciors/
(■Grand Duchy 1 \ of Baden J
Diichy^ jf Baden Ditto Prussia . .
Hun',';ny . .
Lain-.. ..
Wiesloch .. Posen
O loiOiur- . .
Langenwinkel.
Baierthal.
Posen.
Neustadthal.
After a little chat, I showed each party where to take up their quarters, and then returned to my tent to write the lollowing letter to the King, whicli I dispatched forthwith }»y Aito Samuel and two of my messengers: —
''Kordla, Vlth March, 18(1(1. • Most Gn.vcious SovERraax,
*' I liavo had tlio honour of receiving yom- Majesty's kind letter of Iho Lst Mat!;al)it hy Kantiba llailo, and I was icjoiced to learn from itK bearer tliat he left yuu in pcrfoct health and prosjxirity. >May thi; Lord continue to keep you in tlic samo liappy condition.
"I have tlio pleasure to inform your IMaje.sty that Con.sul ' 'amoron and Ids European companions, vho have been brought liom Miigilala b}' Agafuri Ciolam, reaelied this place tliis after- iKXjn ; and I return you my best thanks for the kindness and ittention shown them on the road liy your Jlajesty's servants, in accordance with your orders.
30 THE CArTIV]-:S REACH KORATA. Chap. XHL
" Mr. Flad and liis companions "wlio were at Gaffat have also joined me here.
" The rest of the news will be given to your Majesty by your servant, Aito Samuel, who is going to your Court with some oommuuications which I have desired him to make to you.
" My companions join me in presenting your Majesty with my respectful salutations."
The reader will probably have remarked that my reception of the captives was cold and formal. It was so undoubtedly in outward appearance, as it was also designedly, for I had been specially warned against any cordial demonstration of friendship towards them, lest the King migbt take umbrage thereat, and suspect me of siding with his "enemies." "If you desire to leave the country with them," was the advice of those who knew the King's disposition well, " keep aloof from them for the present." It was extremely painful to me to act with such reserve, even for a time, more especially towards Consul Cameron and the Eev, Mr. Stern, with whom I had been formerly acquainted, and above all when they had just been released from a long and horrible confinement ; but the safety of all, the members of the Mission included, obliged me to repress my own feelings in the matter. However, I directed my servants to supply them with every requisite ; and I hardly need add that when the Mission was disgraced, and there was no longer any object to be gained by humour- ing the King, I gladly threw off the assumed disguise, feeling tliat then we were all in the same pliglit, and must escape or perish together.
1866. March. 31
CHAPTEK XIV.
TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES.
Theodore deciilcs on the trial of the Captives — His charges against theni
— His object — The Captives plead culpable — !^fistranslation of Earl raisscll's and her Majesty's letters — A dilemma — Arrival of a mes- senger from Dr. Bekc — The Petition from the relatives of the Captives
— The Order of " the Cross and Solomon's Seal " — Another present from Theodore — Dr. Bekc's mission injudicious — Una Mohammed invested with the "Royal Shirt" — Dabtcra Dasta in the royal garments — Visit to Theodore at Zage postponed — Alaka I'ngada, the royal Scribe
— Reception of the Mission at Zago — Theodore's courtesy — Consults with his Chiefs about the departure of the Mission and Captives — His grievances against M. Lejean, the Coptic Patriarch, a German, and Mr. Speedy — His opinion of his own subjects — Our return to Korata.
It took the King two days to decide how to act, for he evidently w avered between a desire to gratify me by acceding to my request, and an inclination to refuse what I had asked, and thereby to break witli me at once. The course he even- tually took was this : — he sent Alaka I'ngaiiri and Agafari Golam with Aito Samuel to say, that he wished me to hold a ( Viurt in my tent, and that in the presence of his European artisans and some Abyssinian ollicials the charges whicli he luid preferred against the released cai)tives should be read over to them, and they be asked whether they were true or not.
On delivering the King's letter, Alaka I'ngada told nic, in the presence of the assembly and his colleagues, that his royal master felt hapi)y that the Court, wliich was to all intents and purposesMiis Court, was to be heUl in my tent, where 1 should
.32 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
represent bis Majesty ; that what the King wanted was to convince me that he had been badly treated by the released captives, and to obtain for him from them a " Feker-Kasa," or friendly indemnity ; that, on the other hand, if I found him to be in fault, he would indemnify them in any way I judged right. The following are the documents which were read on the occasion : —
(After compliments.)
*'By the power of God, and the fortune of Queen Victoria and myself, those people [prisoners] whom my friend [the Queen] asked me to release have reached you safely, and when I heard of it I Avas glad. AVhat my friend, the Queen, asked me to do I have, by the power of God, performed. In the letter which my friend the Queen sent, it is thus said : ' We have sent to you Mr. Hormuzd Eassam, who was Governor at Aden, and whom we esteem and trust; consult with him concerning what you require of us, and he will do it for you.' She saj-s that I am blind now, and what I require is a remedy, to give light to my eyes. As I have gladdened your heart, I wish you to gladden mine by sending and obtaining for me [such a remedy]. Of the trans- lation of the Queen's communication which you gave me, I send you a copy, in order that you may hear it. I wish you to ask the people [prisoners] whom you have, by the power of God, released, before your brothers and Mr. W^aldmeier's party, whether it be true that they had abused me or not.
" Dated A.M. 7358, and a.d. 1858, in the year of St. Mark, on the 6th of Magabit."
(I may mention hero that the translation of the Queen's letter to Theodore, of which I was the bearer, was made at the request of his Majesty with the assistance of Mr. Piidcaux, tlie royal Chief Scribe, Samuel, and one of my Abyssinian interpreters.)
1866. Mabch. charges AGAINST CONSUL CAMERON. 33
Charges against the Prisoners.
After compliments : —
" The charges against Cameron, who calls himself Consul, are tliese : — This gentleman and his agent Bardcl sent to tell me that they had come as messengers from the Queen, and wished me to receive them. By the power of God, I sent an escort to Massowah and brought him up. I was then at Debra Mai, in the district of Metcha. "When he arrived, I sent my nobles to meet him, and had a salute fired for him. According to the custom of my country, I decorated my house for his reception, and welcomed him therein, by the power of God. lie then gave me a letter, which he said was from the Queen ; after I had read the letter, he presented me with a double-barrelled gun and a pair of double-barrelled pistols, which he said were pre- sents from the (,)ueen. I bowed on receiving thcni, and thanked her Majesty for them. In the letter the Queen said that she wishes to be my friend and relation, and that she heard that I loved and bofiiended her on account of what I had done for Plow- den and his party against the people of my countiy ; that for- merly England and Abyssinia had an interest; and now she wislicd that lier Consul should remain with me, and that sports- men and merchants should be allowed to follow their avocations. He [the Consul] said to me that a Consul from me should go to England, and my sportsmen and merchants also, and that, by the power of God, we [the English] would protect them. I was glad at hearing this, and said, ' Veiy well.'
" In accordance with the rules of my country, 1 treated him and I'ardel well.
" 1 told the Consul that the Turks had taken my country, and were my enemies ; nor had I a ship to do my work, by the power of God, and I said that I wished that the Mission and presents which I intended to send to the Queen should be con- veyed safely. I gave him a friendly letter to the Queen and sent him away. The letter which he brought me, and tlie consultation which we had together, he abandoned, and went to the Turks, who do not love me, and before whom he insulted and lowered me. Ho stayed with them some time, and returtied to nie. I asked him, 'Where is the answer to the
vol,. II. u
34 TRIAL OF THE CArTlVES. Chap. XIV.
friendly letter I intrusted you with ; wliat have you come for?' He said to me, 'I do not know,' So I said to him, ' You are not the servant of my friend, the Queen, as you had represented yourself to be ; ' and, by the power of my Creator, I imprisoned him. Ask him if he can deny this.
" The cliarge against Bardcl is this: that he told me that he wished to make me acquainted with the Emperor of the French. I said to him, ' Very well ; ' and sent him. He came hack and said that the Emperor refused to see him. I answered, ' Xever mind; I have my God.' After keeping silence, he asked me to release Macraire, a Frenchman. I replied that he had formerly told me that he wished to make me acquainted with the Emperor of the French, and on his return [from France] he had told me that he had been ignored. 1 said then, ' For whose sake shall I release him ? ' and I refused to do so. He was angry at what I said; and in my Court he ungirt himself and covered his head with the cloth.* I was annoyed at this, and, by the power of my Lord, I imprisoned him. Ask him if he can deny this."
Charges against the rest of the Prisoners.
" The other prisoners have abused me, I am well aware. I used to love and honour them, A friend ought to be a shield to his friend, and they ought to have shielded me. Why did they not defend mc ? On this account I disliked them.
"Now, by the power of God, for the sake of the Queen and the British people and yourselves, I cannot continue my dis- like towards them. I wish you to make between us a recon- ciliation from the heart. If I am in fault, do you tell me, and I will requite tliem ; but if you find that I am wronged, I wish you to get them to requite me."
When the letter was read I noticed that the King had only sent charges against Consul Cameron and JM. Bardel, and as the latter had introduced himself to Theodore — so the King
A mark of insnlt in AViyssinia, especially before a Sovereign.
«• ~ '^
186G. M.vnrn. "FEKER-KASA." 35
asserted — as a servant of the British Queen, it v as quite evi- dent that his Majesty was intent on raaking political capital out of his present proceedings ; since even Mr. Stern, whom he had always accused of having abused hira, was not men- tioned by name in the list now sent of his i rievances. Towards the end of the document, however, an implied charge, which caused me no little uneasiness, was made against all the released captives, together with a hint — aiven for the first time — that he wished them to give him a friendly indemnity, or, in plainer terms, substantial damages. I liad hitherto laboured under the mistaken notion that the King simply wanted them to forgive and forget, and to pro- mise him their lasting friendship in future ; but Messrs. Flad and Waldmeier disabused me of that idea, by explaining that FeJcer-Kiisa meant something more substantial. j\roney, of course, the Xing would not demand, as that would be beneath his dignity to receive ; still he might insist on their sending to Europe for any articles he might ftincy, and the chances were that he would detain them until tliey arrived, and when they came that he would ask for more. I deemed it advisable, therefore, to make no allusion whatever to the Ftkcr-Kdm in my reply, but put myself forward as answerable for the whole party, wishing, if possible, to prevent his ]\rajesty from bullying the old captives again, which he was evidently aiming at.
The Court was convened in my tent at eleven o'clock. wJion I caused the charges to bo read out. As Consul Cameron was rather weak, I took upim myself to permit lii?ii to bo sc:itcd during the trial, telling the Commissioners that I felt sure the King would not object ; if he did, tliat I would take the blame. They replied at once that they were certain what pleased me would please his Majesty. But the whole
n 'J
36 'i'lllAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
thing Avas a farce, as there was neither judge nor jury present, and none of the captives would have dared to disjDute the King's assertions, even if he had accused them of vhe most inconceivable criminality ; consequently, it was unanimously agreed that they should all admit having done wrong and beg his Majesty's forgiveness. Mons. Bardel had come into my tent before tlie opening of the proceedings, and on the arrival of the King's Commissioners seemed disposed to create a disturbance, by calling upon his fellow released captives and the Gaffat Europeans to prove the charges which they had always alleged against him. On my pointing out to him, however, that it was unbecomiug to moot such ques- tions then, begging him at the same time to postpone all these and similar matters of discussion until we were fairly out of the country, he at once desisted.
^Ye discovered now that the letter which Consul Cameron had brought from Earl Kussell, as also the letter from her jMajesty which I had the honour to convey to the King, both of which Mere quoted in the foregoing communica- tions from his Majesty, had been sadly garbled in the Amharic version, and made to state things which were con- trary to fact. For my own part, I felt certain that the additions and alterations were made after the royal letter was translated ; but as I was told that it would be useless, and might perhajis do mischief, if I brought the matter to the King's notice, I was constrained to hold my peace.
It was not true, moreover, that her IMajesty the Queen had sent a letter to Theodore by Consul Cameron. The letter of wliich he was the bearer was written by Earl Kussell, and the following copy of the original will show how strangely its contents had been mistranslated or perverted to suit the King's views : —
1866. Makcii. earl RUSSELL'S LETTER TO THEODORE. 37
Earl Rmsell to King Theodore of Abyssinia.
" Sir, ''Foreign Office, London, Feb. 20, 1862.
" The Queen my Sovereign has been infonned by her servants in the East of the exertions which your Highness kindly made to recover the remains of her late Consul, Mr. l*lowden, and of your generosity in declining to accept repayment of the sum of money which you paid for that pui-pose. Her Majesty com- mands me to assure your Highness that she views your conduct in regard to this affair as a proof of friendship towards herself and the British nation, of which she is duly sensible.
" In order more partictilarly to manifest her Majesty's thank- fulness for these your Ilighness's services, and to show her re- gard and friend.ship for you personally, her Majesty requests your acceptance of a rifle and a pair of revolver pistols, as a present from herself. Her Majesty has intrusted these articles to Captain Charles Duncan Cameron, whom she has appointed her Consul in Abyssinia, as the successor of the late Mr. Plow- den, and who has lately taken his departure for his post ; and I take this opportunity of introducing him to your Highness, and of requesting your protection and favour in his behalf. He is well acquainted with all that concerns the interests of both countries, and will, I am confident, do all in his power to make himself acceptable to your Highness, and to promote your welfare.
" I thank your Highness for the letter which you .addressed to me, informing mo of the steps which you had taken to punish the men who murdered Mr, Plowden and Mr. Pell ; and with my best wishes for your uninterrnpted health and happiness, I recommend you to the jtrotection of the Almighty.
" Your faithful friend,
(Signed) " Russell." (L.S. The largo Signet.)
That siiiiihir liberties had been takou with her ]\[aj('sty'8 letter to Theodore, of whicli I was the honoured iM'ar.r, will bo evident on comparin*^ the subjoined transcript with tlio iiitorprctation which tlie King, either willully or othtrwisc. had |>ut uj»oii it : —
38 TRIAL UF THE CAlTlVEy. Chai'. XIV.
Her Majesty the Queen to the King of Abyssinia.
" May 26, 186-1. '' VicroiUA, by the grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., &c., &c., to Theodore, King of Abyssinia, sendeth greeting. We have duly received the letter which your Majesty delivered to Our servant Cameion, and We have read with pleasure the friendly expressions which it conveys. We learn with satisfaction that Your Majesty has successfully established your authority in the country over which you rule, and We trust that you may long continue to administer its a£Fairs in peace and prosperity. Our servant Cameron has no doubt conveyed to you the assurance of Our friendship and goodwill, and ^Ve are glad to learn by your letter that he had been duly received by j-our Majesty. Accounts have indeed reached Us of late that your Majesty had withdra^\^l your favour from Our servant. We trust however that these accounts have originated in false representations on the part of persons ill-disposed to your Majesty, and who may desire to pro- duce an alteration in Our feelings towards you. But your Majesty can give no better proof of the sincerity of the senti- ments which yoTi profess towards Us, nor ensure more effectually a continuance of Our friendship and goodwill, than by dismissing Our servant Cameron, and any other Europeans who may desire it, from your Court, and by atibrding them ever}- assistance and protection on their journey to the destination to which they desire to proceed. With the view of renewing to you the expression of Our friendship, and of explaining to you our wishes respecting Our servant Cameron, We have directed Our servant Hormuzd Eassam, First Assistant to the Folitical Kesident at Aden, to proceed to your residence, and to deliver to you this Our Eoyal letter. We have instructed him to inform your Majesty tliat if, notwithstanding the long distance which separates Our dominions from those of your Majesty, you should, after having permitted Our servant Cameron and the other Europeans to take their leave and depart, desire to send an Embassy to this country, that Embassy will bo very well received by Us. And HO, not doubting that you will receive Our servant EavSsam in a favourable manner, and give entire credit to all that he shall say
18GG. Maech. a dilemma. 39
to you on Our part, as well as comply with the requests which he is instructed to make to you, We recommend you to the protec- tion of the Almighty.
" Given at Our Court at Balmoral, the Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of Our Lord 1864, and in the Twenty-seventh year of Our reign.
" Your good Friend,
(Signed) " Victoria 11."
(L.S. The large Signet.) (Not countersigned.)
Superscribed : " To Our Good Friend Theodore, " King of Abyssinia."
Towards evening, Messrs. Flad and Waldmeier as well as Sainiiol expressed their unanimous opinion that as they understood the King's letter received during the day, it was evidently his Majesty's intention to get me to write to England for artisans to be employed in his service, and in the mean time to detain us in the country. What was to be done under this unlooked-for dilemma? Was I to refuse the request at once and stand the consequences, even to the risk of our all being consigned in chains to IMagdala? Or, was I to consent? in whicli case, we should all have to remain in the country as hostages. Either alternative was objectionable ; however, as I was told that the King intended to invite me to spend a day or two with him at Zage, when I should have an opportunity of explaining to him verbally liow important it was that I should leave Abyssinia, together with all the Euroj)ean party, as soon as possible, and might then manage to elicit his consent to our speedy departure, 1 made but slii^dit allusion to this subject in my next com- munication. Tile letter was written on the Kith, but owinir to a violent storm w hich raged over the Lake the messengers
40 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
who conveyed it were unable to proceed to Zage till the day following : —
''Kordta, 16th March, 1866. "Most Gracious Sovereign,
"I have had the honoiiv of receiving your Majesty's letter dated the 6th of Magabit, and I was glad to learn from your servants, Alaktl I'ngada and Aito Samuel, that yon were enjoying perfect health.
" In accordance with your jMajesty's request, I summoned to my tent yesterday morning Mr. Cameron and the rest of the Euro- peans who came from Magdala, and had the charges which yon had preferred against them read to them before your sei"vants Kan- tiba Hailo, Aito Samuel, Xagadras Gabra-Madhen, Alaka I'ngada and others, and also in the presence of your European servants of Gatfat. They all confessed that they had done wrong, and hoped that, as your Majesty had been good enough to release them for the sake of your friendship to our Queen, you w^ould extend to them the forgiveness due from one Christian to another.
" With regard to your Majesty's wish that I should gladden your heart, as you have done mine, by writing to England and obtaining for you a scientific person to teach your people the arts, be assured that nothing w^ould please me better than to be of service to yon, especially after the great kindness I have received from your Majesty. I should consider myself ungrate- ful and unfriendly were I not to be honest in all my dealings with 3'ou, and acquaint you with what would strengthen your friendship witli my Queen, and prove of material service to your Majesty's benefit and happiness hereafter.
" j\Iy Queen sent you a most friendly letter, which your Majesty received in a cordial and honourable manner. To that letter you have written a most courteous answer, showing the friendly sentiments with which your heart was inspired. That letter shall bo conveyed by me to her Majesty.
" Whatever service you wish me to render yoTi, I could not do it better than for myself to be on the spot, and aid you in everything which my Queen can do for j'ou ; but if your Ma- jesty desire otherwise, I shall l)e happy to comply wdtli your wishes."
I dispatched tliis letter by Aito ISaniuel, Alaka I'ligmla,
1866. March. DR. BEKE'S LETTER. 41
Agcifari CJolam and one of my messengers. I requested them all to speak to the King about the dangerous course he was pursuing, because, although he intended to keep me in his country, as a friend, until the arrival of the " scientiiic man," yet that such a step would in Europe be construed to moan that he kept me as a hostage. I begged that he ^^ ould trust me, and abandon the idea that I should forget him after I had left Abyssinia.
As will be seen from the contents of the letter, I was very guarded in the expressions which I used respecting the admission which the captives had made when the King's charges were read over to them. I merely reported that all had confessed that they had done wrong, and begged his Majesty to forgive them, as one Christian ought to forgive another ; and not that they had confessed themselves to bo guilty, and begged him- as a King sitting in judgment to pardon them. But the whole thing was a pretext got up by the wily Monarch to veil his real object. The die was about to be cast, and whether it was to be favourable to us or the con- trary depended entirely on the whim of the royal gamester.
On the day of the mock trial a messenger came to me with a letter, which he said was from Dr. 13eke, addressed to the King. I asked the messenger if there was with it any letter for me ; he replied in the negative, saying that Dr. Beke had not intended him to come to me, but luvl told him to go straight to the King. lie said he had not done so, because lie was afraid to take the letter to the King, and thought it would bo better to bring it to me. Ho tohl me that he had been obliged to remain four days at Gondar, having been too tired to come on at once. \Vh('n this letter came to hand, 1 was asked i)y some of my follow-Kuropeans to sup- press it, as it wa8 apprehended that it« receipt might prove
42 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
a stumbling-block to our departure from Abyssinia. This, of course, I refused to do, and accordingly sent it on to the King. 18th. — Aito Samuel, accompanied by two of the royal deputies, returned from Zage this morning, bringing me the following satisfactory answer from the King : —
(After compliments.)
" ^^'ith regard to the aifair of Cameron and his party, I used to reckon them as my friends, and honoured them, and it has been proved to you that they have wronged mo. For the sake of our Lord, and, below him, for the sake of the great Queen, my friend, Yietoria, I have forgiven them. The contents of your letter have made me glad, by the power of God ; I wish to bow my head and kiss your hand and foot. I w^ant you to come to me, in order that we may consult together.
" The relations of Cameron and his imprisoned companions have written to me in sorrow about them. By the power of God, and for the sake of my friend, the great Queen Victoria, I have been reconciled to them, and by the power of our Creator wo wdll consult on all matters when we meet.
" Dated Sunday, the 10th of Magabit."
When the King dictated the last paragraph in the fore- going communication, he had, of course, perused the petition of the relatives of the captives, and also Dr. Beke's letter which accompanied it; nevertheless, he does not mention that he was moved by either to the announced reconciliation. It is by no means improbable, however, that when he read the petition, wherein the petitioners " humbly, at the feet of your Majesty, plead for mercy and pardon for the wretched Europeans," and understood Irom Dr. Beke himself, "the Englishman," that he was commissioned on the part of the petitioners to " supplicate your Majesty in their names for their [the captives'] pardon and release " — in fact, that the said "Englishman" j)roposed to come up to him with a verdict of guilty in his hand against those whom the King de-
1800. March. MH. WALDMEIER'S TESTIMONY. -13
signated liis " enemies " — that his Majesty began to think he had let the captives oflf too cheaply, and was more than ever disposed to exact satisfaction in some shape or other. That tlic King, as he states in his letter, had intended to " consult" me on this matter, there can be no doubt. That he never did so was in all probability owing to an after-suspicion that I was cognizant of Dr. Beke's mission, and that it \\as a trick to overreacli him.
The success of the ^Mission up to this point is thus de- scribed by jMr. Waldmeier, in a letter addressed to Bishop Gobat, dated Koruta, 20th ^larch. 18G(), and published in tlic London lleconl of the 11th July of the same year : —
" ^Ir. liussam has so fiir perfectly succeeded. The King lias delivered all the liberated prisoners into his hands, saying that he did it fur the sake of friendship between England and Abys- sinia ; to which he added, ' the friendship between Abys.sinia and I'^ngland has been disturbed by the Europeans who came to my land with the devil in their hearts, who abused me, speaking all kinds of evil against me ; but now the great Queen of England liaving sent a great man, Mr. Rassam, to me with a friendly hitter, 1 have sot Mr. Cameron and all the Europeans at liberty, desiring a cordial and solid reconciliation.' . . . The King has invited us (the Scripture Headers), together with Mr. Kassani, to go to him at Zage, to consult together about several particu- lai-H. . . . We expect that in about three weeks Mr. Rassam will take his departure, together with the librratcd Europeans. At ail}' rate, it wcjidd be a dangerous thing if tluy were obliged to spend the rainy season in this country. I fear, in that case, that the peace and friendship whieh have been so wisely restored by Mr. Ii'assam might sulfei", wliich wciuld bo most painful to us. We shall, therefore, do our utmost to forward Mr. Itassam's il<partuie, together with those to whom ho has been a saviour, with all jK)nsible sjteed. . . . Tliree days ago tho King received hoveral petitions in favour of the mptivos, sent to him by Dr. anil Mrs. Heke from Miissowah. Those petitions, especially that from Mr. Stern's family, aro written in very gooil terms, and aro
44 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
exceedingly touching ; tliey deeply moved the heart of the King, though they were too late. The short answer of the King was : ' I have delivered all these persons to Mr. Eassam out of friend- ship to the Queen ; they are all free.' "With respect to the presents about which Dr. Beke has written to the King, his Majesty was most displeased, and expressed strongly his dis- satisfaction that people should think that he loves presents, whilst friendship and love is all that he desires."
I was informed by the messengers that the King was vacillating, and that he had not quite made up his mind whether to permit me to leave for England, or keep me until his object was attained. They hoped, however, that as the King had expressed a wish to have an interview with me, he would allow me to go with all the Europeans that were with me. Wednesday, the 21st of March, was the day appointed for " consulting " me.
Samuel informed me that his Majesty was much pleased with the message I had sent him about the Shirts intended for the members of the Mission, and that he had been directed to take the silk back to Zage. The King, how- ever, had expressed a wish to institute an Order, to be called " the Cross and Solomon's Seal," for the special pur- pose of decorating the members of tlie Mission, in tolcen of his esteem, and he asked me to show his Abyssinian gold- smiths — he sent no less than four to our camp — how to make them. They worked for nearly a fortnight, but could not succeed in making the Orders according to pattern ; so the King ordered Mr. Zander, one of the artisans, to under- take them. The new Order was to bo of three classes: — the first, wholly of gold ; the second, a gold cross and silver seal ; the thiid, wliolly of silver. The King insisted that three of each should be got ready before our departure, in order that some of his Abyssinian Cliiefs might share in the honour which he intended to confer on us. The lirst Order was to
18G6. March. "THE CROSS AND SOLOMON'S SEAL."
45
bo presented to lias Mashisha, the King's eldest son, Eas I'ngada, the chief minister, and myself; the second was
JUo(to on the ride to he exposed:
" The fear of the I/ird
U the beginning of
wisdom."
AMto on the obi'erse :
" TliiHulonis, King of kings of Ktbiopia."
Ori>er of the Ciioss axd Solomon's Skai.
to be conferred on Ra> Tajurga, the Commander-in-Chief of all the I\Iusketcers, Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant I'rideaux. Who was to be invested with the third Order had not been decided on.
So anxious was the King to decorate my companions and myself before we left, that he sent daily to IMr. Zander to hurry on the work.
On the same day hi.s Majesty sent me, from the royal Ticasiiry, aiiotlnr present of 5,000 dollars liiroiigh the Kun- tiba, which I nductantly accepted; not thai I was in want of tlie money, but because, under existing ciicuinstanees, I deemed it advisable to give the King no excuse for car[)ingat my conduct. He also sent fifty milch cows, with their keepers, it having been reported to liim tliut I fouii<l great dillieiillN in
46 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
providing milk for our large party. I did not actually receive the money either on this or the previous occasion, but I told Aito Samuel that I should draw on him from time to time for \A^hatever sums I required. As far as the expenses of the Mission were concerned, I had more than enough money remaining of the sum which I took with me into Abyssinia for all purposes — quite sufficient to take us to Matamma; but as I was told that if the King heard that I had not spent any of the present he gave me, he would be greatly offended, I drew sometimes on his agent.
The King also sent me Ur. Beke's letter, which he asked me to peruse, together with a petition which had been for- warded by Dr. Beke from the families of Messrs. Cameron, Stern, Rosenthal and Kerans. The King said that he did not wish to answer it until he had seen me, and when we met he would consult me about it. The letter was headed, " From the Englishman " — a style which is neither English nor Oriental, and must have seemed as strange to an Abys- sinian as it Avould be to an European. It did not allude to me or the Mission; and from the effect which the letter apjDeared to me likely to produce upon a mind like the King's, as well as from what afterwards took place, I could not help thinking, that from the day the King heard of Dr. Beke's arrival at Massowah, he began to suspect that the British Government was not sincere towards him.
As far back as the 8th of March, 18G6, I wrote to a friend in England in these terms of Dr. Beke's enterprise : — " It is feared that his mission w ill do a good deal of harm ; and should any interruption take place in the good understanding now existing between his Majesty of Abyssinia and myself, those who were instrumental in getting up that job ought to be blamed for it." The Europeans generally on the spot, as
18Cn. MARcn. DR. BEKE'S MISSION. 47
well as the native officials of rank who were favourably dis- posed to our Mission, concurred in this opinion. The same view was taken by men eminent for their political experience in the East, wlio did all in their power to arrest the rash undertakinfi;. Colonel Stanton, her Britannic ]\Iajesty's Consul-General in Egypt, in his dispatch to the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated 13th December, 18G5, writes: —
"Dr. Bcke, who arrived in Egypt some time since, is still here ; he ha.s informed me his intention is to proceed to !Mas- sowah, and from thence try to reach Adowa ; he talks of proceed- ing in about a week. I informed him I feared his journey might interfere with Eassam's mission, but I hope the latter will have accomplished bis task before Dr. Beke can reach the country."
Colonel ^rerewothcr, also, took special pains to point out the mischief which he foresaw would almost certainly arise out of this independent attempt on the part of Dr. Beke. In liis official communication to that gentleman, he enters so fully into the then critical state of our relations with Theo- doTO, and draws so correct a portrait of that intractable monarch, that I shall make no apology for quoting it in exteruio from the Blue Book : —
"Aden, February 8, 1866.
••Sir, — Tier Majesty's ship 'Lyra' will leave this for Mas- Bowah in a few days, and I fake the opportunity of communi- cating to you the latest intelligence I have received from Abys- sinia, both from the captives and Mr. Kassani.
"The letters from the former were up to the 2Sth Soptcmbor only, the messengers bringing them down having delayed in Tigre from dread of the cholt-ra, said to bo raginj^ on the coa.st. On the above date Capt^iin Cain.n.n and l)is fellow prisoners were still at Mdgdala and all well, Imviiig j^i.t tliiough the winter bettor than they had exjiected to do.
•♦ Mr. HasHJun had ru^ichod Ciwda on the 6th November, and
48 TIJIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
left it again on the 9th, expecting to arrive at Matamma on the 20th idem. From there he would immediately communicate with King Theodorus, and it was hoped would either meet or speedily be joined by an escort to take him to the King. Of the latter's movements it was said that he had entered Gojjam, so as to be nearer to Matamma, and that be bad the captives with him. The first part of this report was supposed to bo trae, the latter not to be strictly relied on.
" My object in mentioning the above is to show you exactly the position of affairs now, and while desirous of not in the least trammelling you in the execution of the kindly object you have in view, to suggest to you the unquestionable expediency of your deferring your entry into Abyssinia until something more decisive is heard of the result of Mr. Eassam's mission to Matamma. That gentleman has progressed as favourably and as rapidly as could under the circumstances be expected ; he is proceeding to the King by the route selected by that poten- tate, and at this moment, if not actually with him, will be in direct commimication, and engaged in negotiations regarding the release of the unfortunate captives whose safety and free- dom is your chief point of solicitude.
"With your knowledge of Abyssinia, its present ruler and its people, I need not enter at length into the difficulties and complications that are likely to be raised, if, while these nego- tiations are going on, and before they have been brought to any issue, the King should hear that another Mission (for your re- tinue will of course be greatly magnified) has entered Abys- sinia, headed by an English gentleman of repute in the country itself, and having professedly the same object, viz., the liberation of the captives ; it will also be pointed out to him that this second Mission is entering the country not at his invitation — a point on which, as yon know, he is particularly sensitive — and, further, that it is proceeding through the territory of those who are rebels to his authority, and that it is enabled to do so only by entering into friendly communication and association with those who are in arms against him. In any person's mind such a mode of procedure would naturally raise doubts; how much more so will it in a person of such a notoriously suspicious and hasty nature as the Emperor of Abyssinia? In the under- standing of himself and those around him, it will be impos-
18GG. March. DK. BEKE ADVISED. 49
sible to dissever you from the British Government, or to induce them to believe that you are acting separately, and entirely in a private capacity ; it will therefore seem as if Government was acting on two different plans, one of which would personally be most objectionable to him, and would immediately lead him to question the other. The confidence in Mr. Kussam's mission, which has been brought about by careful management and long patient waiting, would be at once withdrawn, and the position of the captives rendered more critical than ever.
"As far as we are able to judge, 3Ir. Eassam's mission has every chance of success ; ho is proceeding to join the King's Court at tlie invitation of that Monarch. On the 20th of November he was to have reached the place appointed, and if the King was in Gujjam, there would not be above fourteen days' march between them ; and, farther, he is the bearer of a letter from her Majesty the Queen of England, which cannot fail to prove most satisfactory to his wounded dignity ; but the receipt thereof — so all are agreed — is the point on which he has always laid the greatest stress, as the one essential before the question of the condition of the captives, or any other, could be entertained.
" Under these circumstances I would strongly recommend your deferring your advance fiom Massowah until further tidings have been received of ^Ir. Kassam's movements. Such cannot bo long delayed now ; they may indeed be at ^lassowah at this moment ; and to save time I shall by this opportunity write and request M, Munzinger, who is in charge of the British Consulate, to be good enough to communicate to you any au- thentic intelligence he may receive, that you niay be the better ul)le to judge how you can act with advantage to the cause you have undertaken.
" I have, &c.,
(Signed) " W. L. Merewetiikr.
" To Dr. Beke."
Kindly remonstrances like these would have induced any ordinary philanthropist to liositato before ho placed in jeo- jiunly the liberty, and perhaps the lives, of those whoso releaso it was his avowed object to effect. But Dr. Beke's overween-
VUL. II. E
50 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIY.
ing estimate of liis own abilities and of his kno^Yledge of the customs of the country — a knowledge which the tenor of his letter to the King goes far to disprove — led him to persist at all risks — not to himself, but to the captives generally and the members of the Mission — in his most injudicious scheme. Even Samuel laughed when he handed me that gentleman's letter, and said, "Do you know that man Beke, sir ? He is a queer man. I travelled with him for some time in Abyssinia. He coming to release the captives, indeed ! He had better remain where he is ; for from what I know of him he will not be two days with the King before he is sent to Magdala in chains." Fortunately, when the ill-timed letter arrived I was on the best terms with his Majesty, otherwise we should all have been condemned to that fate at once; but the King's sus- picions had been aroused, and the consequence was not long delayed in the disgrace of our Mission and the re-incarceration of the captives.
Mohammed Siha\vy, the false reporter, was presented by the King to-day with a small district in Tigre, called Wena, together with the title of " Ona," and by royal order he was in future to be styled " Ona Mohammed." He was inordi- nately puffed up with his new title, and assumed at once an overbearing demeanour towards his late comrades. Ddbtera Dasta, who had just returned from Massowah, took ofifence at his assumption of superiority, and on receiving some direc- tions from him iriven in the tone of a command, he asked him who or what he was to think so much of himself. The new Ona adjured liim, by the death of the King, to hold his tongue, which merely added fuel to fire, for Dasta thereupon abused him roundly, and then, stripping ofif liis Royal Shirt, threw it on the ground, saying, "Here are the few ells of silk ; give them back to the King." As Samuel and other
1866. Makch. DASTA IN ROYAL APPAREL. 51
of the King's officers, who were witnesses of this scene, ex- pressed their fears that if a report of Avhat had occurred should reach his Majesty, the rash man might lose his Yiio, I ordered him to be arrested forthwith, as well with the hope of saving the poor fellow, as to show the officials that I dis- approved of his conduct. During the night a consultation took place between Samuel and his colleagues, Ona Mo- liammed among the number, when it was unanimously agreed that the matter should be hushed up, and they all came to me in a body to solicit forgiveness for the culprit. I accordingly sent for him and made him receive the Shirt, with a stone on the back of his neck, in accordance with the Abyssinian custom in such cases. After kissing the Shirt thrice, he put it on, not a little delighted to find that he had got out of the scrape so easily. I sent this man again to Massowah with letters in IMay, 1866, and on his return in August he was plundered and imprisoned by the rebels near Ooiular. (That, as I have already mentioned, was the King's alleged reason for destroying the capital.) He eventually effected his escape, and on the way back to me, via Debra Tabor, he thought he might as well pay his respects to the Sovereign — in the hope, of course, of getting something from him. He was clad in rags at the time, and on seeing him in tlmt plight the King bade him approach, saying: "What is the matter with you, Dabteia Dasta? Why are you so ragged?" He then narrated all that had befallen liim, whereupon his Majesty remarked, " So you have been plun- <lered and imprisoned by those vicious rebels ! Come here, and put on these clothes, and when you have rested I will send you to your master;" the King simultaneously divesting himself of his drawers and shdnima, and giving them to tho .Mian, who came to me shortly after, at ^lugdala, chid in these
E 2
52 TEIAL OF THE CArTIVES. Chap. XIV.
royal garments. I subsequently employed this Dabtera;
Dasta as a courier between ]\Iagdala and the coast, and when
Dajjaj Kasa took possession of Tigre he was the confidential
messenger between me and that Chief. I also sent him once
charged with an important communication to the Wakshum
Gobaze, Dajjaj Kasa's rival ; but although he was so engaged
on my belialf with contending parties, and that at a most
critical time, ho never once failed to keep his counsel.
Idth. — I wrote the following letter to the King to-day, but
the messengers Avere unable to proceed with it till next
morning : —
" Kordta, 19tJi March, 18G6. " Most Gracious Sovereign,
" I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your kind and welcome letter of the 10th of the niontli of Magubit, which was brought to me by Aito Samuel and his companions, and I am not a little rejoiced to learn that 3'ou are in j)erfect health and prosperity.
" The five thousand dollars with which you have kindly pre- sented me, through Kautiba Hailo, have reached me in full, and now I beg to return you my best thanks for them. I pray God to reward you for all your kindness to me.
" With refeience to your Majesty's desire that I should come and see you, doubtless it is a pleasure for which my heart has been longing ever since we separated ; and by God's help I hope to repair to you with my companions, Dr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux,, on Wednesday morning next, as those gentlemen are also glad of the oj)portunity of being honoiu'ed once more by seeing your Majesty.
" I pray God to show iis the light of your countenance in gladness and joy.
*' My companions join me in respectful compliments."
I must remark on the above that his Majesty had er- pressed a desire to see me "alone;" for Avhat object, i)ro- bably none but that inscrutable Monarch himself knew.. However, I was determined not to be scijarated from my
18G0. March. OUR VISIT POSTPONED. 53
colleagues, who Lad thus far shared the fortunes of the Mission.
20th. — This morning I received the following note from the King : —
(After compliments.)
" Unavoidable business has called me hence, and I wish you to remain where you are until I return, when 1 will send for you.
" Dated the 12th of Magubit."
The reason for this postponement of my visit was, because he thought iit to go in person to escort his horses, which he had ordered from Debra Tabor. As they were to be con- ducted to Zage round tlie south-eastern side of the Lake, he feared that in reaching tlie Abai they might be pounced upon by the rebels of Gojjam. A detachment headed by a Ras would have sufficed for the duty, but he evidently distmsted jtlacing even a small body of troops, under independent command, any distance out of his sight. All his female establishment also came from Debra Tabor on the same occasion; but thfy were sent to Zage in canoes, together A\ith all the ladies of rank who \\ero going to join their husbands at the royal cam]).
2l8t. — Received the subjoined from the King just as he was starting ibr the Abai : —
(After compliments.)
" I have been desirous and anxious to have an intei-view witli you, but now I intend to be absent from this place for a day (»r two. When I return, l»y the power of Cod, I will send for you, j\.s I am longing for your friendship. May our Creator cause us to nioet in peace, and may Tie give you and nie health.
*• Dated Wednesday, the i;;(Ii of iMaj,'abit."
lie .Ncnt no reply eitlur verbally or l)y letter to my
5^- TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.,
intimation tliat I should take my companions with me to Zage. I did not answer the foregoing, because I was told that his Majesty would send for me on his return.
As I was uncertain what would be the upshot of the pro- jected interview, I deemed it advisable to dispatch a post to the coast, in order to give the captives an opportunity of communicating with their friends at home. I enjoined them to be very careful to write nothing which might compromise us, having been given to understand that the King was very fond of prying into other people's secrets, and that he would not scruple to have all the correspondence seized. I am bound, on the other hand, to state that my own experience wholly absolves his late Majesty from any such propensity ; for during our detention in Abyssinia he had possession of all our papers for some time, and on two occasions when my letters fell into his hands he sent them to me unopened. Nor have I the least reason to believe that he surrepti- tiously caused any single document belonging to us to be read to him. Judging that it would be better to make no secret of the proposed transmission of letters to Mas- sowah, I instructed Samuel to obtain a couple of messengers for me from the Chief of Korata, and they started on their journey on the morning of the 23rd. On the same day I received the following letter from the King by Alaka I'ngada, who brought also a number of canoes with liim for the transport of all the European artisans to Zagu : —
(After compliments.)
" By the power of God, I have returned in safety to my home. I had gone to escort my hor-ses, which were coming to me, and now may He cause me to meet with you, my friend, in safety.
" I used to pray to our Creator that the people [prisoners] whom I disliked and imprisoned might reach you in health and safety. Now, firstly, 1 pray that God may give peace and prosperity
18GG. MAitcn. ALAKA I'XGADA. 55
to my friend, the Queen ; and, secondly, that He may give you, who are the flower of my gladness, health and long life. I also crave from our Creator that He will cause you to concede mo your love. "With regard to myself, whether I dislike you or love you, oh English! you can discover from my conduct in the a flair of I'lowden and YuhannOs [Mr. Bell]. According to the rules of my country and my ability, I used to love and honour them [the English]. My love and honour towards them was for the purpose of obtaining the regard of the Queen and yourselves. That love of yours which I was longing for, I feel convinced I have obtained, and, by the power of God, it has given me jo}-. I send you, by Alilkd I'ugridu, boats. Come yourself and the party of Kantiba Hailo [the European artisans].
" Dated Friday, the loth of Magabit."
Alaka I'ngada was chief Amharic scribe to the King, and the only servant he implicitly trusted. He always carried the royal seal, had possession of the King's papers, and was his Majesty's constant companion. He was, in fact, his public and private secretary, and one of the few men about the Court who could boast that he had never been abused or beaten by the Sovereign. He was a man of undoubted integrity, and I never heard him utter a disparaging word of any one. His remarks touching his master's subsequent treachery and ill-treatment of me were generally confined to the follow- ing : — '' Trust in God, sir, and He will yet deliver you ; for lie will not forsake you after having implanted such strong aflcctiou for you in the heart of the Iving." Eventually, however, when his jMajcsty reached Magdala, at the end of ^larch, ISOS, and the lives of all were in imminent danger, he applied to me to provide him witli guides to enable him to effect his escape from the royal camp and through tin intervening rebels to the invading British army. But 1 advised him to wait until the arrival of our troops, when inalt<is might assume a more favourable aspect; whereais,
56 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
if detected in his attempt to escape, liis life and that of the guides would be forfeited, and the safety of myself and party compromised. This man was disj)atched by the King with a letter to Sir Eobert Napier on Easter Sunday, the 12th of April, and was fortunate enough to remain in the British camp until after the attack on Magdala. He was always friendly towards me, and if he was scrupulously cautious not to reveal his master's secrets, he was equally careful never to betray me. The King allowed me to present him with a silver inlistand, made after an English pattern, which one of the Korata silversmiths managed to copy remarkably well. He was also one of those whom the King allowed to wear a silk shirt of my presentation, and he and other courtiers who were similarly privileged made it a point of wearing these shirts whenever I was well received by his Majesty, or whenever they came to me on business from the royal Court.
25^Z(. — Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and all the European artisans, with Kantiba Hailo, accompanied me to Zage early this morning. We landed about two miles from the bottom of the bay, where the King's residence stood, to put ou our imiforms. On reaching the beach we found Eas I'ngada and other Chiefs in waiting. ]\Iules with rich trappings had been prepared for us, and when all were mounted we followed the Prime Minister at a brisk trot towards the royal dwelling. Three new silk tents had been prepared for the Mission, and Dr. Jjlanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and myself were ushered into them by Eas I'ngada. Two other red-cloth tents Ascre pitched for our followers, besides a black one lor our kitchen. Our canii) had been i:)itched in a corner of the King's inclosure, partitioned off by a fence, which to make it look neater was covered ^^ith v.hite native
ISGG. March. A VISIT FROM THEODORE. 57
calico. Immediately after, a plentiful supply of live stock, lioney, butter, tej and curry-stuflf were sent to the kitchen, with a polite message from the King, that although it was then the fast of Lent in Abyssinia, yet his English friends must not scruple to eat meat. To show his joy on the occasion, he allowed my Mohammedan servants to slaughter their sheep within the royal inclosure — a privilege which Mussulmans had never been allowed before.
In the course of a couple of hours the King sent to say that he wanted to come and pay me a visit, in order to show aU his jjeoplc how he respected me. As he had never, to my knowledge, visited any one since his accession to the throne, I sent and begged him not to trouble himself, but liopcil he would grant me an interview where he was. lie answered, *' Are yon not my brother, and tlie servant of my friend, the great Queen of Euglaud, and sliall it be below my dignity to enter the tent of the Queen, which I have pitched expressly for her? No, my friend, I will not listen to you in this matter." Accordingly, he came to see me soon afterwards ; and on entering my tent, as a mark of respect, he put his right arm out of his robe, and said, "I feel as happy as if I were visiting the Queen." After remaining about ten minutes in my tent, he rose, took me liy the hand, and Kiiid to I >r. Diane, Lieutenant Prideaux and me, "Come along, and let us have a chat."
The King and I walked hand in hand until we reached the audience-hall, where we found carpets had been spread tor all the lOuropeans. My eompanious and I sat near the King, but the artisans occupied places at some distance on our left. After some friendly conversation, in wliich the King could not help alluding to his old grievances, Kas 3Iusbisha, the eldest illegitimate sou of Theodore, came in,
58 TKIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV,
v.eariiig a sliirt of the Lyons silk that I had presented to his father. As soon as we saw him come in we stood up, and the King said, "Mashisha, draw near, and shake hands with my English friends in the English fashion, as I want you to become one of them." After he had shaken hands with my companions and myself, he sat down next to us, by his father's directions. The King then turned round to me, and said, " Mr. Eassam, I wish this son of mine, and another at Magdala (Dajjaj 'Alamayo), to be adopted children of the English ; and when you go back to your country, I want you to recommend them to your Queen, in order that, when I die, they may be looked after by the English, and not be allowed to govern badly."
When this ceremony was over, different kinds of muskets and pistols were shown us, the King exhibiting them to us singly, relating the history of each weapon — from that which had been presented to him by Mr. Plowden, to those which I had brought from Massowah for M. Bourgaud, the French gunsmith, for the King's use.
We sat together about two hours discussing different topics, Theodore making casual allusions to the Bishop, Consul Cameron and Mr. Stern in the course of the conversation. We were then dismissed, the King ordering Eas Mashisha, Eas I'ngada, and all the European artisans to escort us to our tents.
Early next morning, 26th of March, it was reported to me that the King had summoned all the great Chiefs to con- sult them about our departure for the coast, and that the European artisans were also ordered to attend. First, he consulted Aito Samuel and Wald-Gabir, the valet and con- stant attendant on the King, and when they advised him to send me to my country with jo)', he told them that they
18G6. M.vncn. A MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS. 59
were asses and blockheads, and did not know what they were saying. The European artisans were called next, and on their unanimously advising him to send me away, the King- said, " But what surety have I in my hand ? " Mr. Zander now came forward, and taking up her Majesty's letter of the 26th May, 186-1, which was before the King, he first opened it, and then placing his hand on the royal signature and seal, exclaimed, " Trust to these, your Majesty ; they are a true voucher to the word of the English Queen, who never breaks her word." Thereupon the Europeans were told to go out of the room and wait outside.
The King had now only the native Chiefs to depend upon for the decision which he desired. They were, I believe, about eighty-five in number, and of the highest rank. When they had all assembled, the King asked them whether he ought to allow me to return to England, or keep me until the friend- ship of my Government had been proved to him by external evidence. They all, without a dissenting voice, answered, " Let Ml'. Eassam go." " But what have I in my hands ? " was the rejoinder. One of the Eases, named Tagga, replied, " We beg your JMajesty to let Mr. Eassam depart in peace ; and if he behaves falsely to you, let God be judge between him and you. Trust in God ; He is enough for us." Another Chief said, " If your Majesty does not trust the English, make Mr. Eassam swear on the Bible, before you permit him to go, that he will lujt prove false to you ; because the English are very scru})ulous in keei>ing an oath taken on the Bible." These arguments silenced the King for a time, but they did not satisfy him.
After all the counsellors were dismissed, the King sent for nic by Eas rngadu and Kautiba Jlailo, the ex-^Iayor of (Jondar, to communicate to me the result of that morning's
>60 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chav. XIV.
council. As usual, I repaired to the audience-cliamber with my compauions, and found that all the native Chiefs had gone, but the European artisans were standing outside the door. As soon as we entered, the King called out to them to join us. This time they sat in front of us.
On going in I noticed that the King was not in the best of moods, and the first thing he said, after we had sat down, was: "I have this morning called all those people in whom I trust, Europeans as well as Abyssinians, and I inquired of them whether it would be better to let you go back to your country at once, or keep you with me until I obtained a token ■ of friendship from England. They all said that I ought to send you away, and you shall depart as soon as our Easter is over ; but," he continued, " how can I trust any European now after the ill-behaviour of those whom I have treated like brothers ? " He then proceeded to relate his grievances against different Europeans, the names of some of whom I -had never heard before. He began to inveigh against the Bishop, whom he accused of having taken liberties with the Queen, and who had given him trouble both in political and domestic affairs. M. Lejean was the next subject of the royal displeasure. He said, " A man came to me riding on a donkey, and said that he was a servant of the great Emperor of the French, and that he had come to my country for the sole purpose of establishing friendship between me and his Sovereign. I said, ' I do not object to making friends with great Christian Kings ; you are welcome.' The next day he said he wished to see me on business, and I assented ; but to my astonishment he came to me \^itll a bundle of rags [patterns of silk]. I asked him A\]iat those were. He replied that the French had a large town in their country where they made sill<s, and that the merchants of that place
186G. March. THEODORE AND M. LEJEAX. G>
had commissioned him to bring them to me for the sake of barter. I said to myself, ' what have I done that these people insult me thus by treating me like a shopkeeper ? ' I bore the insult then, and said nothing. Another day, while I was out on a war expedition, this Frenchman sent to say that he wished to see me. I told the messenger that I was very busy just then and could not see him. On receiving my message he rushed out of his tent, dressed in his uniform, and said, that as he was wearing his King's robes, he could not disgrace them by taking them off before he had had an interview, and that I must see him. On hearing this I said, ' Who is his father? seize him ! ' and I put him in chains in the very dress of liis King. After a short time I had pity on him, as I thought the man was not in his right senses; so I ordered him to be unfettered and sent out of the country. All the time he was with me I treated him kindly and hospitably ; and when he reached MassoAvah he icwarded my kindness by sending me an insulting letter, in which he abused mo most grossly." I afterwards learned from the late ]\[r. Dufton that it was he, and not his fellow- traveller M. Lojean, who came to the royal camp riding on a donkey.
It appears that when M. Lejcan arrived at Massowah, after his disgrace, he wrote what he called *• a protest" to the K'iiig, in which he commented very strongly upon his Ma ji sty's conduct towards him. It was very well for M. J>-j(!an to say what he liked to a crazy monarch while he was safe out of his reach ; he ought to have known, however, that such a letter could do no good, but jnight endanger the safrty of the Europeans who were still in the power of the despot. I believe that letter did a good deal of harm.
The King then commenced his complaints against the
G2 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
Egyptian Government, and said that they had sent him a man who called himself a Patriarch, to whom, as the head of the Abyssinian Church, he had accorded a good reception, and had condescended so far as to carry his chair in public. The King concluded by saying, " This did not content the man, because the next day he asked me to give him the crown." ' What,' said I, ' do you want to take my crown and give it to the Turks ? Is this the mission on which you have come ?' After that, I was compelled to watch his movements; and, for a few days, I did not allow him to leave his house."
I heard through a reliable authority that the Patriarch of the Copts had never presumed to ask Theodore for the crown, but only begged for a bishop's mitre, thinking it Avould look well when he went back to Egypt if he wore a mitre, which he could say had been given to him by a Chris- tian King, who was one of his flock. In Amharic, there is only one word for mitre and crown ; and as the King wished to have a case against the Patriarch, he accused him of having come to Abyssinia to give his country to the Turks. He thought it was very hard that one bishop should take possession of his wife, and another covet his crown. Although these charges were utterly unfounded, the King seems to have worked himself up into believing them.
The King then continued the statement of his grievances, saying that after the Patriarch had left, the Egyptian Government sent him a Turk, named 'Abd-ur-Eahnicin Bey, to establish good friendship between him and the Egyptian Government, and that this Mohammedan had scarcely been a year in the country before he began to play all kinds of tricks, and plunder the inhabitants ; that one day, while the Ambassador was at Gondar, tlie King gave a feast to his
1866. March. THEODORE'S GRIEVANCES. 63 '
soldiers, and, in accordance with Abyssinian custom, the Chiefs commenced a war-dance after the entertainment was over ; that thereupon the Turkish Envoy came out of his tent and ridiculed the royal troops before thousands of people ; that when the King heard of this, he sent to tell 'Abd-ur- Kahman Bey that he could not put up with his imperti- nence any longer, and that he must pack up and leave the country at once ; that when the Turkish Envoy reached Chalga, on the western frontier of Abyssinia, he began his old pranks again, ordering his people to plunder ; that he even went so far as to carry off some girls, but that the villagers fell upon him and his people and took the girls and the other spoil away from them.
The King then spoke of what he called the ingratitude of a German and an Englishman. The former, he said, who was tlie Austrian Consul at Khartum, had come to Abyssinia and made a treaty with him, which, on his return, he tried to turn to the benefit of the Turks. The latter, whose name was Fallake (Mr. Speedy), had stayed some months with him, and he had in every respect treated liim well ; but when he went down to Massowah he had abused him before the Turks, and called the Abyssinians " asses."
The King finished by saying, " You see how I have been treated by people who ought to have requited me differently. How am I to know that you will act differently ? You may not abuse me when you leave my country, but still you may forget me." I replied that it would not be becoming in me to praise myself by saying that I should behave better tlian others. I only begged him to try mo, and judge from my future conduct what kind of a person I was. He said, " Very well, I will try yon ; and may you reach your country ^Mf.ly."
G4 TRIAL OF THE CAPTIVES. Chap. XIV.
After this, he reverted to the rebellion, and asked me to advise liim how to stop it. As I did not wish to meddle in siieli a delicate affair, and yet did not deem it advisable to vex him by telling him that it was not my business to mis myself up in matters which did not concern me, I related to him the history of the Indian mutiny, and how her Majesty the Queen had ultimately granted an amnesty to all those who had been implicated in it. On saying this the King smiled, and said, " Do you think the Abyssinians are like other people ? They are bad and will not listen to reason. To show you that I am right, I will instantly proclaim a general amnesty to all the rebels, and you will find that no one •will give heed to me." He then asked me to send my inter- preter to hear the proclamation by the herald. The crier was accordingly ordered to announce the amnesty, and one of my interpreters had to witness the ceremony.
On this day the King did not refer to Dr. Beke's letter, but that gentleman's messenger received orders that he was to return with me to Massowah, without an answer. I began then to hope that the King had put Dr. Beke's mission out of his mind.
Our interview lasted more than two hours, and on dis- missing us the King said he wished me to return to Korata that evening, and that I was to prepare myself to start from Abyssinia with my companions and the released captives. He said he would sec me again, because he wanted me to come and bid him good-bye before I finally left Abyssinia. Towards evening, the European artisans came to ask me to remain until the following morning, as it was hardly pleasant to cross the Lake at night ; or, if I did not like to do so on my own responsibility, to request liis Majesty's j)ormission to that efl'ect. As I was given to understand that the King
18GG. March. RETURN TO KORATA, '65
was not in the best of moods, I declined to alter the original plan, unless the jn-oposal came from the King himself. Kantiba Hailo repaired accordingly to the royal presence to request permission to depart, and on his rejoining us we started, Eas I'ngada, as usual, escorting us as far as the boats. He said, on wishing me good-bye, " I hope to escort you much farther next time ; " meaning, that when I went again to Zage, according to appointment, to take leave of the King, he would have to travel with me some distance from the royal camp. I truly believe that he meant what lie said.
VOL. II.
66 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED. Chap. XV.
CHAPTER XV.
OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED.
Fresh difficulties — M. Bardel and I'ugada, Wark — Intestine troubles — The European artisans — Dr. Beke's mission — Theodore's suspicions aroused — Favourable prognostications — Theodore and his Shirts — Men-milliners — The King's Dispatch box — Directions given for home- ward route — Eeasons for preventing a final meeting between the King and the Captives — Theodore dispenses with the interview — Orders our immediate departure — Arrangements made to re-arrest the Captives.
Two or three days after my return to Korata, I found fresh troubles looming in the distance. Every day messengers from I'ngada Wark were going to and fro between Zage and Korata, visiting M. Bardel. I also heard that the latter had a document in his possession, by the use of which he threatened to prevent Consul Cameron from leaving the country. It appears that when Consul Cameron was a prisoner at Magdala, before I went to Abyssinia, he had given a kind of passport to a number of rebel Chiefs who were then confined in the same place with the Europeans,, promising them British protection and rewards in case of war with England. Afterwards, however, it was feared that the existence of such papers involved great rislv, for if the King heard of them, the safety of Consul Cameron and his fellow- prisoners would be compromised. The passports Mere there- fore recalled and destroyed ; but M. Bardel managed to ob- tain a copy through Consul Cameron's secretary, and kept it concealed, in order that he might use it against us when
18GC. JlAucn. MISCHIEF-MAKERS. 07
it suited him. The said copy was eventually burnt at Korata, which relieved us from any further anxiety on that score.
Soon after the return of the Mission from Zage, one of the courtiers sent to apprise me of a report having reached the Court that some of my party had requested Messi's. Schimper and Waldmeier to furnish them with an outline of the I'ormor sufierings of the captives, as they ha<I forgotten several of the incidents and dates. I was accordingly advised by my Abyssinian informants to put a stop to such a dangerous proceeding, otherwise the King might get wind of it and conclude that other " abusive " accounts of him were beinfr prepared for publication on our return to Europe, to the certain jeopardy of the Mission and the released captives. "Let those who want 'to write books," was the wise and friendly injunction conveyed to me, " wait until they are safe out of the country; tlien let them write whatever they please." On receiving this intelligence I immediately sent for Messrs. Scliimper and AValdmeier, and was glad to heai- from them that they had refused the solicited assistance. They also kindly promised to give no countenance whatever to a proposition so fraught with hazard to all concerned ; in fact, the Giiffat artisans were always avowedly friendly to the Mission.
These were some of the difficulties which beset the Mission at this time. Jealousy, and envy, and self-interest seemed at work aroiuid us, and there is no knowing how far their imitcd influence was brought to bear, directly or indirectly, on the mind of the King. Then, again, there can be no doubt that Dr. Beke's intervention excited the misgivings of the mistrustful M(jnarch. Thus much is certain, that at thr end of January, 18GG, Theodore had no thought of detaining
F 2
C8 OUR EXODUS SAXCTIOXED, Chap. XY.
US, and that he began to change his mind wlien he heard of the arrival at Massowah of another person whose ostensible object was to procure the liberation of the Magilala captives. Ignorant as he was of the liberty of the subject in England, it is not surprising that, at a loss to comprehend how a private Englishman dared to interfere in an important matter which had already been taken in hand by his Sovereign, Theodore was led to question whether we were dealing with him in a straightforward manner ; and, of course, his suspicions would be confirmed on hearing that the agent referred to had been conveyed to and from Massowah in a Government steamer.
Another circumstance which seems to have aroused the susj)icion of Theodore at this juncture was a rumour, set on foot at Korata, that I had been sent by the British Govern- ment to obtain the release of Consul Cameron only. If so, it seemed inconsistent in me, in his estimation, that I should make such strenuous efforts to secure the liberation of all the captives.
The foregoing are some of the causes to which I attribute the King's altered tone towards the Mission. Indications of the unfavourable change were already evident, but I thought then that the symptoms would prove merely transitory.
I reached Korata about midnight, and next morning dis- patched the following letter to the King : —
"Korata, 27th 3Iarch, 1866. " Most Gracious Sovereigx,
" I have the honour to inform your Majesty that, by God's mercy and your favour, I arrived here safely last night, with ICantiba Ilailo and our respective parties. I trust that this letter will find you in perfect health and prosperity.
" Allow me to return you my grateful thanks for the kind- ness and favour I received at your hands, which I trust, by the help of God, I shall never forget; and may lie who knows our
18GG. March, A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE. G9
hearts enable me to do always what is pleasing to ITim and agi-eeable to your ]\Iajesty.
" In presenting you "with my respectful compliments, in which my companions join, I remain," &c.
His Majesty had written mo a complimentary letter the same day, begging me to report my safe arrival at Korata. In fact, we seemed to be trying • which should outvie the other in courtesy. Three days later I received the following note, to my intense gratification, inasmuch as it reassured me that our departure was in contemplation : —
(After compliments.)
" Before this I sent to inquire after your safe an-ival, and afterwards Lij Abitu and his party came and informed mc of it. By the power of God, I was greatly delighted. I had ordered the party of Kantiba Ilailo [the European artisans] to do certain work [to make saddles, shields, &c.]; if it is completed, I wish you to hold yourselves in readiness to start [for Europe], by the power of God.
" Dated Friday, the 22nd of Magabit."
I certainly believed at this time that the clouds had blown over, and that wc might now hope for uninterrupted fair weather ; this confidence, however, did not restrain me from wishing all shields and saddles at the bottom of the sea. Even a few days' delay, or some malicious report brought to his notice, might suffice to change the fickle mind of the King. However, it was useless, in our position, to kick against the pricks: his Majesty had directed the presents to be prepared for us, and we miglit not loave without them. They had been ordered as far back as the beginning of Fcbniary, but his Majesty had only just heard that the golden saddle destined for me could nut be got ready before the end of April. In consequence of that intimation, his ^Majesty gave instructions today that the best gold saddle
70 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED. Chap. XV.
available among his Gaffat servants — European and native — should be taken up for me ; all the filigree work was to be regilt, and the leather and velvet renewed. To expedite the completion of the Orders of the Cross and Solomon's Seal, he directed six additional silversmiths to assist Mr. Zander to have a certain number prepared by the Abyssinian Easter, which fell on the 8tli of April.
To-day I wrote to the King as follows : —
"Kordta, 31st March, 1866. "Most Gracious Sovereign, —
" 1 have had the honour to receive your welcome epistles, dated respectively the 20th and 22nd of the month of Magabit, from which I was glad to learn that your Majesty was in the enjoy- ment of perfect health.
" Thank God, we are all well here, and, by your favour, in good spirits.
" With regard to our departure, we are ready to start as soon as your Majesty shall give us leave to do so. I trust ere long to behold the light of your countenance again.
"Dr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux present you with their respect- fid compliments."
1st April, 18G6. — This being our Easter Sunday, all the Protestant community met together to offer up our united thanks to Almighty God for His care over us. Twenty-two ])ersons, including the wives of the European artisans, assem- bled in my tent for solemn worship. The Eev. Mr. Stern officiated on the occasion, and administered the Lord's Supper.
'Ind. — I gave a party this afternoon to all the European artisans and their families. As we had not tables sufficient to accommodate all the guests, the dinner was served on the floor. Eeceivcd the following from the King : —
(After compliments.)
" The shirts a\ hich you sent me by Ona Mohammed have
186C. April. THEODORE AXD EUROrEAN SHIRTS. 71
reached me, and I return you my tlianks for them. Why do you give yourself such trouble and such thought for mo ? You are my guest, and it is for me to inconvenience myself for you. If God assist you, 1 -wish you to trouble yourself about ivliat I require ; but, oh my brother ! do not incommode yourself by parting with your property.
" At Amba Chiira, in the province of "Waggara, my toll-keepers seized some messengers who were coming this way with letters. They imprisoned them and sent the packet on to me. I found it directed in an European language, and as I thought it might belong to you, I send it to you unopened. If you should find it to be yours, I have directed that your messengers should be released ; if not, return the packet to me, and I shall order the messengers to be brought to me.
" I have ordered some cows to bo given to you, in order that you may have a merry feast. I did not know that your Easter fell before ours, but thought that both corresponded in date, otherwise I would have sent them before. Why did you not inform me, since my house is yours, and the house of your brothers and friends ?
" Dated Monday, the 25th of Magabit."
On first reaching the King's Court I had presented him with a dozen of my own shirts, which were made at Aden, of fine calico, with loose wristbands, and without buttons. These he admired very much, but with his usual liberality ho had given most of them to his favourite Chiefs. I sent him another dozen on the 31st of March, the receipt of which he acknowledges in the above. Subsequently, he sent two pieces of longcloth, with which I had also presented him, bogging me to have thorn made into shirts like mine, which I wits enabled to do through the joint kindness of Mrs. Flad and Mrs. Kosenthal. 'I'ho most amusing part of this shirt business was, that mine were made for studs, of which I gave his ]\rajesty a set. These, however, ho lost the first time of using them, and was obliged afterwards to call in a tailor.
72 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED. CiiAr. XV.
whenever he donned his shirt, to put in a few stitches to keep the front together. This expedient was the more troublesome because it is considered disgraceful for an Abys- sinian, male or female, to sleep in any kind of garment ; consequently his Majesty was under the necessity of sending for a tailor whenever he retired for the night. One day he became so impatient that he tore his shirt open, and resorted to me to remedy the inconvenience. This I did by sending him a supply of buttons, directing the tailor to affix them to one side after he had sewn up the button- holes. It may sound somewhat strange to English ears that a tailor, rather than his wife or one of his female domestics should have been called in by his Majesty to put a few stitches to his shirts; but the reason is, that few if any Abyssinian women can sew; and, even if they could, it would be deemed highly unbecolning in them to ply the needle in public. Sewing and laundry-work are left to the males ; spinning and carrying wood and water are tasks apportioned to the weaker sex.
I was extremely surprised to see the packet which I had dispatched to the coast on the 23rd of March brought back to me to-day. It appears that the guards at the toll-gate near Amba Chara had been ordered to arrest all persons carrying letters either up or down, and that my messengers had accordingly been seized, bound with cords, and put into prison until the King's pleasure was known. The packet which was taken from them was brought to his Majesty simultaneously with Ona Mohammed's arrival at Court with my letter of the 31st March, and the guard who de- livered it stated that the messengers from whom it had been seized said that it came from the Franchotsli (Europeans). On being asked by the King if he knew to whom the packet
18CG. Ai'Rii.. EOYAL COURTESY. 73.
Ijelonged, Una Mohammed, with his usual assurance, replied that it belonged to me. Thereupon Lij Abitu was ordered to bring it to me for identification, and to direct the release of the messengers, should it prove to be mine. Fortunately^ no inhibition had been given against their resuming the journey, and Lij Abitu kindly undertook to forward the packet to the detained messengers, who, on their release, were to proceed with it at once to the coast. The Aitos Kasa and Wande had sent a letter with the packet to their agent at ^Eassowah, which the King caused to be opened and read. On finding that it related solely to mercantile matters, lie took no further notice of it ; but he did not return it to the owners.
^rd. — I addressed the subjoined letter to the King to- day :—
" Kordta, ord April, 18GG. "Most Gracious Sovkheigx,
" I have received with much pleasure your Majesty's gracious letter by Lij Abitu and Ona Mohammed, dated the 25th of !Magubit, and was glad to learn from them that they had left you in perfect health.
" \Vith regard to the packet of letters which your Majesty kindly sent me, I found it to bo mine — one which I forwarded a few days ago to Mr. Munzinger at IMassowah. It contains several communications from myself and my companions, and the other Europeans who are with me at Korata, addressed to different friends at Aden and in Europe, reporting my good reception by your Majesty, and the safe arrival of the released prisonei-s at our camp.
"In accordance with your orders, Lij Abitu, immediately on linding that the messengers who were detained at And)a f'hara, in N\ ligguru, were those whom I had sent to Massowah, t-ent orilore to have them released, and forwarded the packet aho to be given to them to take on to Mr. Munzingi^r.
" I am extremely obliged to your Majesty fur your continual acts (jf kindness to mo, and fur your thought of ns at the com-
74 our. EXODUS SANCTIONED. Cuap. XV.
memoration of our Saviour's Eesurrection, by sending us a token of your good-will. It is quite impossible for me to requite your favours in this countrj^, but I trust I sliall liave it in my power when I go to England to show my sincere gratitude for all your kindness.
" In presenting jowv Majesty with my salutations, in which my companions join, I remain," &c.
On the 5th I received the following note from the King, acquainting me with his rigid fast, and his joy at the approach of Easter : —
(After compliments.)
" I have been long fasting, and have abstained from eating meat, and I am anxious to see the light of Easter. Pray that I may sec it in health. By the power of God, I will also offer up to Him the same supplication for you.
" Dated Wednesday, the 27th of Magabit."
On the same day his Majesty sent me twenty jars of honey, half of which contained honeycomb perfectly transparent. What led to this gift was my having asked Samuel to pro- cure some good honey for me. Samuel, accordingly, having heard that it was procurable in the market near the royal camp, directed his friend Balambaras Gabra-Madhane 'Alam, the Governor of Wandige, to purchase a few jars. By some means or other, these facts were reported to the King, who forthwith sent for the Chief and reprimanded him most severely for having presumed to resort to the market for me, instead of ajiplying to the royal store-house, where he might have obtained as many jars of honey as he pleased. Samuel also got a similar rebuke from his Majesty the day following ; and both were not a little delighted to have got off so easily.
Gth. — Wrote as follows to the King, in rejDly to his last : —
18G0. April. THEODORE'S DISPATCH-BOX. 75
''Kordta, Gth Ajjyil, ISGG. " Most Gracious Sovereign,
" I have had the honour of receiving your Majesty's welcome letter of the 27th of Magiibit, by Lij Abitu and Una Mohammed, together with your acceptable present of honey. Tray accej)t my best thanks for all your kindness and favours.
" May the Almighty who, as on this IToly Friday [Abys- sinian reckoning] gave His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption, grant that your fasting and prayers may be registered in heaven; and that through our Saviour's suffering we may rise with Him to endless salvation.
"I pray our Heavenly Father to enable you to commemorate the day of His Son's resun-ection in good health and prosperity, and may He grant you a long and happy life to celebrate that blessed day for many years to come.
" In presenting you with my respectful congratulations on the anniversary of our Lord's rising from the dead, in which my companions join, I remain," &c.
I gave the foregoing to Samuel, who had been summoned to Zage to receive instructions about our departure. By the same opportunity I'sent his Majesty a tin dispatch-box, which, I was told, he would appreciate very much. He certainly did, for he afterwards used it as the receptacle for what he called hLs important papers, and always kept it by him. On several occasions ho was heard to say, placing his hand the while on the box, " When the English troops come, I shall show them some astonishing letters that I have here." Un- fortunately, tliis box was found open in the Treasury at Magdala, rifled of its contents, when that place was captured by the IJritisli Army.
i^(h. — Samuel returned with Lij Abitu and Una Mo- liamined, bringing me the following from the King : —
*' May God grant mo a meeting with you, my friend, after tho light of Easter. Tho token of friendship, namely, the tin box
76 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED. Chap. XV.
which yon sent mc, I have received with much pleasure, and I return j^ou my best thanks for it. I have ordered Lij Abitu to take your mules through Dambea ; and Kantiba Hailo and Aito Samuel to bring you to mo."
In this letter tlie King did not mention the released captives; but he sent me a verbal message that I was to take all the Europeans with me, including the artisans, and all the baggage ; the mules, he said, were to go roimd the northern side of the Lake, but no place was named where we were to meet them. No reason was assigned for the change in the former more definite arrangement, which was, that the released captives should proceed to Gqjja, on the north-western corner of the Lake, where Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and I were to join them, after we had taken leave of the King at Zage. We were told at first that we (the Mission) were not to carry any tents Mith us when we went to take leave of the King, or more luggage than was neces- sary for three or four days ; but on the 8th of April the old. plan was wholly set aside. I was also told that the King had inclosed a large space outside his camp at Zage, within \\ hich we were to pitch our tents on our arrival there. These proceedings perplexed mc, and I asked Aito Samuel and Lij Abitu what they meant. They answered that they were as much in the dark as I was, and did not know what the King intended to do. The inclosure seemed to every one most suspicious.
Up to that day I had been repeatedly advised to try all I could to prevent the King from seeing Consul Cameron and Messrs. Stern and Roscntluil ; and wlion Aito Samuel and Lij Abitu came with tlic message from their master that I was to take the released cajitives witli me to Zage, it was thought tliat wc sliould l)c inevitably detained if I did so —
18CC. April. TRECAUTIONS. 77
so intense was his 3Iajesty's hatred towards them. Taking all these objections into consideration, I deemed it advisable to try to induce the King to dispense with the attendance of the released captives.
Had he written to me in a straightforward manner and told me that he wished to see the released captives before they left, or even that he wished to be reconciled to them — though a reconciliation had been effected twice l)efore — I should certainly have taken them to liim ; but all that he did was to write, directing mo to go to him, without even mentioning the name of any released captive in the letter, sending me a verbal message only to take all the Europeans with me, some of whom he detested, and whose faces he had been heard very often to say he hoped never to see again. In fact, T was told that had I taken tliciu with nio to Zage, he would have had me and my companions arrested, on the plea that I had insulted him by taking his enemies to the royal camp, without his having written to me to do so.
M. Bardel and I'ngada Wark were all this time in constant communication, and it was rumoured that the former was about to be reconciled to the King, and to remain in liis service as formerly.
After careful deliberation, I resolved to ask the King's permission to allow tlie released captives to proceed straight on their way to Matamma, round the eastern side of the Lake, and Lij Abitn, who always befrionded me, undertook to return to tlic King with my communication — tliougli it was hazardous for him to do so, after the previous order which he had receive<l from his Majesty, directing him to take our mules round the Lake. I therefore entrusted him with the following letter, directing him to tell the King that
78 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED, Chap. XY.
wliat I was proposing was for the welfare of all, and to ask his Majesty's forgiveness, if he did not approve of the sug- gestion : —
"Most Gracious Sovereign',
" I have had much pleasure in receiving your Majesty's letter of the 30th Magabit, by Aito Samuel, Lij Abitu and Qua Mohammed, and I was greatly rejoiced to learn therefrom that you are quite well.
" Dr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux beg to present their respectful compliments to your Majesty.
"I am taking the liberty of sending Lij Abitu to you, with a message from me ; and I trust your Majesty will pardon me for having done so."
Before Lij Abitu started I received the following note from the King, which I acknowledged with suitable com- pliments in a postscript to the above : —
" I send you good tidings of my having passed Easter. How have my friends passed it ? Let me know if yon have spent it haj)pily and prosperously, by the power of God.
" Dated Monday, the 2nd of Miyazeya."
On the 10th of April, Lij Abitu returned with the follo'OTng answer, and he also gave me the joyful intelligence that the King had made no objection to the released captives pro- ceeding on their way romid the eastern side of the Lake, as had been formerly arranged : —
" When I heard of your good health and prosperity, by the power of God, I was greatly delighted. Very avoII ; as you say, Lij Abitu shall take them by the lower road, and your baggage will cross to any spot wdiich you may choose. I have directed Agafuri Golam and the party of Aito Kiisa to convej' it for
you."
I had hoped that we were certain of being allowed to leave, especially as arrangements were made for the transport of
1866. Apbii.. the ROUTE ORDERED. 7^
om- biijrgago across the Lake to Gojja, where we were all to meet before our departure. Lij Abitu was formally appointed by the King to escort the released captives to Gojja ; and tlie two principal merchants of Korata, Aito Kasa and Alto Wande, with Agafari Golam, Avere to transjjort the baggage in boats across the Lake, while Kantiba Hailo, with all the European artisans, were to escort the Mission to Zage on the same day.
There is no doubt that, on the 8th of April, the King really intended that I should leave Abyssinia with the re- leased captives, although he had previously thought of keeping us a few months longer ; but everything depended upon the whim of the moment. It was a mere chance how long he would keep to his word, as he could not be depended upon for an hour. A mere suspicion, or a mischievous report while he was heated with drink, was quite sufficient to make him order hundreds of men to be executed for whom, per- haps a few minutes before, he had professed great friendship. I was also told, on good authority, that the King had even given orders on the 11th of the month directing the silk tents to be pitched for tlio IMission within his inclosure, as on a former occasion, and that he had actually indicated the mules and horses which were to be presented to us ; also, that Ras I'ngada was told tliat ho was to escort us as lar as Wandige, while Aito Saniud, with Lij Abitu and Agafari (lolani, were to go with us to Clialga, where we wore to be handed over to the old escoil who had brouglit us to the King from the frontier. There is no doubt, moreover, that these Cliiefs of Clialga were ordered to be ready to receive us after the Abyssinian Easter-week, and directed to collect carriers to transport our baggage as far as i^rattimmiu
80 OUR EXODUS SANCTIONED. Chap. XV.
On the morning of tlie 12tli it was reported to the King, from Korata, that the Orders of the Cross and Solomon's Seal could not be got ready by the time his Majesty wished us to leave Abyssinia, and that the saddle and shields, which had been ordered for my companions and myself, were not quite completed. He had been told, also, that I had supplied his enemies, the released captives, with arms ; and as he knew I had not brought any spare muskets and pistols with me, and that those he had himself given me I had long since disposed of, he wondered how I had got them, and began to suspect that I had them concealed, and might have more to give to his other enemies, the rebels, when I went down to Chalga. He had also, probably, just then heard of Dr. Beke's visit to the rebels of Tigre. At all events, on the morning of Thurs- day, the 12th of April, 1866, the King was in a fearful mood, and sent orders to Korata that we were to start, without fail, early next morning, according to previous arrangement. In the evening he began to waver, and asked Wald-Gabir and I'ngada Wark whether he should let me go. The former in- formed me that he had advised the King to let me depart in peace ; but he did not know what answer the latter gave, as they were asked separately. The King could not sleep that night, and towards the morning he sent for Bitwaddad Tadla, and in a private interview commanded him to take the soldiers under his command and cross at once to Korata, but to take care to land at Zanzalima, about four miles from our encampment, towards Zage ; that he was to go on to a certain village about a day's march on the other side of Korata, and stay there till the arrival of the released captives, whom he was ordered to arrest and bring back in chains to Korata, and await further orders. One of Bitwaddad Tadla's soldiers was directed to remain at Korata to give orders as to
18GG. April, PRECONCERTED ARREST. 81
the disposal of our baggage. About 10 o'clock a.m., ou that day, the silk tents, which had been pitched for the Mission, were ordered to be struck and packed up, and all the Chiefs in camp were summoned to attend. The King had been drinking a great deal for three days, and that day he was very much excited. While the Chiefs were assembling, the King called for an Amharic writer, and got him to write down the different charges he had against me — not omitting, of course, to include his genealogy in fuU. I was told that the King did not think of having us arrested until after Eas I'ngada had been sent to meet me ; and wlien that Chief saw us arrested he was as much surprised as we were. The King ordered nine colonels to arrest me and my companions — three ofhcers for each — as soon as we entered tlie reception-hall; and they were to guard us against any attempt at suicide, until they received further orders.
I have been obliged to digress from the main narrative because I wished to show what took place at Zage from the time the King got into a rage on the morning of the I'ith until the afternoon of the next da v.
VOL. II.
82 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
CHAPTEE XVI.
DISGRACE OF THE MISSION.
The released Captives start liomewards — The Mission reimirs to Zagg and is arrested there — Charges made against the Author — Theodore apolo- gizes— The Mission placed under surveillance — Our baggage ransacked
— Present from the King — We destroy all our papers — The Captives arrested and brought to Zage — A fresh trial — The King's charges against the Captives and against the Author — He determines to retain the Mission — Theodore unchains the Captives — Craves forgiveness of all the Europeans — The Petition from the relatives of the Captives read
— Theodore's letter to the Queen — We are to be kept as hostages — Theodore's request for artificers from England — The Author's letter to the British Government — Mr. Flad selected to go to England — A native matricide — Theodore and Abyssinian law — Charges against Samuel and two other Aitos — Sympathy for the Mission.
About 10 o'clock on Friday, the ] 3th of April, the released captives started from Korata on their way to the north-west- ern corner of the Lake, and Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and I embarked on board tlie canoes provided for us by the Chiefs of Korata and went on to Zage, accompanied by the European artisans, Aito Samuel and Kantiba Hailo. About two miles before we reached the landing-place at Zage, we were told to land and put on our uniforms under some trees on the beach, that we might appear in due trim before his Majesty. We landed at Zage at about one o'clock in the afternoon, and, as usual, Eas I'ngada met us on the beach below the King's house, with mules for the members of the Mission. The first thing that struck me on entering the royal courtyard was, that there were no tents pitched for us ; but as Eas I'ngada took us straight to the audience-
18C6. April. HUSSION ARRESTED AT ZAC.fi. 83
hall, I tlidu^lit that, owing to the heat of the weather, the King was going to locate us in houses. When we reached the door of the hall I was surprised to find it crowded with Chiefs, all dressed in their silk shirts. Even this I thought nothing of, as I knew it was still the feast of Easter, and imagined that the King was only entertaining his troops, as was his wont. On going into the room I looked towards the throne, intending to salute the King, when su<ldenly three strapping Chiefs fell on me, two of whom held my arms and the other the tixil of my coat ; meanwhile they all searched me to see if I carried any arms. The arrest took place so abruptly that I thought at first I had passed the King with- out noticing him, and that these Chiefs were only kee]iing me back, lias I'ngaila then glanced round, and said, " Do not fear." It now struck me that there was something wrong ; and on looking behind for my companions I found that they also had been arrested and were being roughly handled by the soldiers. "NVe were then pushed up towards the throne, but held .so tightly by the soldiers that we could scarcely move our arms. After reaching the throne we were made to wait, standing, for further orders from the King, who was sitting and listening behind the door at the back of the room, not more than ten yards from us. Even in our disgrace the King ordered that we should have the highest seat amongst the Chiefs, for we were placed at the foot of the throne, and on our right and left were the liases, all dressed in 1 loyal l^hirts made of the silks I had brought. The first message sent to me was, " Where are the Magdala European jtriscmcrs?" I replied, that the King knew better than I did where they were. He then sent to say that we ought not to fear, as the jircsent was only a misunder- standing whieh Would soon vanish, I replii>(l, " W'baf have we to fear? Have we not come into this country depending
a 2
84 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
upon the word of a King, and one who calls himself a Chris- tian? And where are we now but in the house of the very person w ho ought to afford us protection ? But why this insult .and disgrace ? Is this the way to receive the messengers of a friendly Sovereign, who came for the sole purpose of esta- blishing friendship ? " No sooner were these w^ords trans- lated to the King's Commissioners, Eas I'ngada and Kantiba Hailo, who were appointed by the King to carry our messages backwards aud forwards, than all the Rases cried out, " Mal- cam ! ]\[alcam ! " — well said !
Kantiba Hailo, who was the spokesman, then returned with Ras I'ngada and told me that the Chief Scribe had a paper which contained some charges against me, and that the King's order was that they should be read over to me, and I must answer each charge separately. The scribes were also ordered to put down in writing what I said.
The Chief Scribe then produced the document and began to read, first, the pedigree of Theodore, who was the offspring of Solomon and David by the Queen of Sheba. To this I made no objection, but said I was delighted to learn that he was descended from so wise a King. After this the history of my Mission was read : how I had arrived at Massowah and had come to Abyssinia on the invitation of the King, who had received me graciously and released his enemies, the European captives, for my sake. I replied that I fully admitted all that had been said on that point, and had already proclaimed our good reception to the world.
Now came the charge that, while I knew that the King hated the European captives, I had sent them towards Ma- tainma without reconciling him to them. I replied, that I did not understand why the King made such a charge against me, when he himself, in a letter to me, had given the released
18GC. April. THE AUTHOR ARRAIGNED. 85
captives permission to depart, which letter, if his Majesty uould allow me, I would produce ; and, besides, Lij Abitu had been sent to escort them by order of the King. '* As for the reconciliation," I continued, " I took it for granted when the King wrote to me that he had forgiven the European captives, that he really meant what he said ; and the only reason why I preferred their going away from Korata instead of coming to Zage was, because I had heard from different people, one of whom was Aito Samuel, that the King disliked the released captives, and did not wisli to see them. But if his Majesty really wished to have them here, why did he not write to mo to say so ? I had always been honest in ray transactions with the King, and his jMajesty ought also to have dealt with me in the same manner." Aito Samuel broke down before I had half finished, and obtained per- mission to be seated. A native of Adwa was then brought to translate, and before he had acted as dragoman five minutes he also had to retire, after disputhig with the writers as to the way of recording my words. ^^'h('U this man sat down, it was found that even the writers had got somewhat frightened, and could not proceed with their occu- })ation. At last the King, who must have understood every word I said, as he knew Arabic well, sent to say that the scribes might dispense with writing what I said, but that the Commissioners shouhl communicate to him all my answers. The Jung now ordered two other interpreters to come forward — one a native of Tigie and tlie other a Copt. In the beginning of the sham trial the European artisans were closeted with the King, and wliile the mock Court was b •iii;^ held they came in and sat down below the liases.
The document, which was in charge of tiie Chief Scribe, not half of which had been read, was now ordered to be
86 DISGRACE OF THE MISSIOX. CnAr. XVI.
folded up and placed in the tin box ^vliicli I had given to the King.
The hist charge was, that I had sent letters to the coast without the King's permission, and that his Majesty had not been told what I had written. I said, first, I did not know it was agjainst the rules in Abyssinia to communicate with one's friends without the sanction of the King. Secondly, that I had dispatched the letters through the Governor of Koiata, with the sanction of Aito Samuel, whom he had given me as Baldaiaha, and that none of his officials had objected to my having done so. Moreover, the letters were from myself and fellow-Europeans, wherein we gave our friends an account of the good reception of tlie Mission by the King and the release of the Magdala captives. This I had already com- municated to his Majesty.
Aito Samuel was first interrogated whether he had assisted me in sending letters to the coast; and on his answering in the affirmative, the King sent to say that he did not remember my having written to him about these letters. I referred him to the Chief Scribe, who, after a long hesita- tion, corroborated my statement. Then I concluded by saying, "But supposing I had really committed an unin- tentional error, was it right of the King to insult my com- panions and myself as he had done that afternoon ? Did 1 not ask him the first day I met him to i'orgive any mistake iny companions or I might commit during our stay in his country, and did he not promise to do so? Is tliis the way that he keeps his word?" No sooner had I finished this sentence than some of the Eases cried out again " Malcam ! " Even Mr. Zander joined tliis time in expressing his approval of v hat I had said.
After this the King thought it best not to jirocced uith
1
1866. April. THEODORE APOLOGIZES. 87
the other charges — two of which, I was told afterwards, were, first, that I had supplied arms to Consul Cameron and the IMissionaries ; and, secondly, that after he had warned me against using the money he gave me in any \vay " unpleasing to the Lord," I had given large sums to his enemies, the captives. (He discovered afterwards that the arms were pur- chased from his European artisans, and that the money which I had given to the released captives was from my own funds, and not from the sum with which he had pre- sented me.)
Thereupon the King began to change his tactics and apologized for his misbehaviour towards us. After the last answer had been delivered to him he sent to say, that he hoped I would not take to heart his treatment of us that afternoon, because he had always loved me and held me in high esteem, and that he was very much vexed with those Europeans who had always abused him and treated him with contempt ; that he could not allow them to leave the country before they had been tried before me, there- fore he had sent for them, and they would be at Zage in a day or two ; until then wo were to remain with him, and his European artisans were to act as our Buldaialjas. Tiic latter arrang<'inent, however, was subsequently cancelled. \\ ith regard to our arrest and the disarming of Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Pritleaux, the King said that he had ordered it because he was afraid that we might kill oiuselves from vexation when the charges were read to us, as he had heard that Europeans very often committed suicide when they got into difliculty. On hearing this I exclaimed, ''What! I »o( s the King tjiiiik that we do not bejievi' in eternal salva- tion, that we .should put an end to our lives in that uu-Ciu-istian manner?" The Tigre interpreter was afraid to translate
88 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVT,
my answer, but the others came forward, including Aito Samuel, and said that the Assembly ought to know what I had said, and the Copt recommended that I should add that I was not so wicked and impure as the Magdala captives. I objected to this addition, and at last my former answer was translated. On this occasion only two Eases and Mr. Zander showed their approbation by saying " ]\Ial- cam."
By this time the King had got over his angry mood and began to look somewhat placid. He sent and dismissed all the officers in attendance, but kept two Eases, Wald- Maryam and Gabrie, with a few followers to watch us. They were to be our jailors while we remained at Zage. They behaved very civilly to us all the time we were in their charge. Tliese two Eases were afterwards chained and imprisoned by the King, merely because he was afraid to trust them at large. They were ultimately released by Sir Eobert Napier, after the taking of Magdala.
At the end of the trial we found that all the baggage had been brought to Zage and submitted to the King's inspection. His jMajcsty sent to say that, as he could not trust his soldiers, he was obliged to see if all our things were right ; and he asked us to send him the keys of our boxes in order that he might not be obliged to break them open. At the same time ho promised to return everything to us in perfect order. 1 began to fear that he was going to search our papers, as in the case of the IMissionaries. After a while we were informed that he was looking for concealed arms, as he was afraid that we should kill ourselves in case we had any with us. He took possession of every article of defence that ho cuuhl lay his eye upon, even to the kitchen-knives; but he overlooked Dr. Blanc's formidable case, of dissecting
1866. April. OUR BAGGAGE RANSACKED. 89
instruments, wliich he returned. One of my interpreters was called to witness the overhauling of our kit, aud the King said to him jocosely, " 'Omar 'Ali, come and see that I do not steal any of your master's things." All the European artisans also were ordered by the King to attend the examina- tion, and had to note down everything the King chose to keep. He told them they were to act as witnesses between him and me.
The King at first wished to imprison my companions aud myself in the iiiclosuro which had been constructed for us about ten days bol'ore ; but when ho had cooled down he thought he could not send his friends out of his sight, so he ordered one single white tent to be pitched for us at some distance from the hall, aud a black one for a kitchen, and as soon as ours was erected we were ordered into it, escorted by the two Rases. A strong guard was appointed to watch us, and we could not move a yard, cither within or without the tent, without a soldier scrutinizing our movements. Afterwards, all onr things were sent back to us, excepting the arms, silver trinkets and money. We were glad to find that none of our books or papers had been retained. This was satis- factory proof that the King's suspicions were not directed to anything which we had written.
Dr. Blanc's and my servants were detained in the mean time by the soldiers in a corner of the audience-hall; and when the King went in, after we had left, and found them there, he asked them what they were about. On their rej)lying tliat they were confined by the soldiers, ho said, " What! who luis dared to imprison the servants of my friend, Kassam ? Do not think that I am angry with him. There is only a little disagreement between us, wiiich will soon bo got over." That evening he sent us ten jars of nif/ad,
90 DISGRACE OF TUE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
and the same number of sheep, ■with butter and red-pepper sauce. The soldiers had strict orders not to interfere Nvith our servants, who were allowed to visit us and go out of the inelosure whenever they liked.
We had no idea what was to befall us next, but fearing that our property might be seized again, and memoranda capable of being misconstrued to our greater risk found therein, we deemed it advisable to destroy every scrap of written paper we had. Some we attempted to chew, others we soaked in wash-basins, but were obliged to abandon both expedients, for the former was rather an unpalatable and the latter a slow process. The kitchen fire was finally resorted to as the best alternative, and by filling our butlers' pockets with them every time they were called to wait upon us, we soon got rid of all our written documents.
The King sent us no compliments either that evening or the next morning, as had been his wont ; and Aito Samuel was kept at a distance from his master after the trial. The European artisans, as well as our Abyssinian acquaintances, were afraid to approach us, or even to send us their compli- ments. The only persons who ventured to communicate with us during our disgrace and rigorous confinement were, the lady — an old friend of the late Consul Plowdeu — to whom I had shown some slight attention on our journey through Agowmeder, and the Balambaras Gabra-31adhane 'Alam. AMien this lady heard that I was going to Zage to take a final leave of the King, she came to the royal camp to bid me larewell, and on finding that I had been imprisoned she sent me a present of eggs and fowls, and tried to encourage me. The other, the Governor of Wan- dige, who had been severely reprimanded by the King for purchasing honey for me, sent to tell me to-day that he bad
18GG. April. ARRIVAL OF CAMEROX AND TARTY. 91
it still in his possession, and asked if he should send it to me, offering at the same time to procure any other supplies that I might require.
In the afternoon of the 14th the King sent us some fowls and eggA, but no message came with them ; so I asked Aito Samuel if he could go and thank the King for his present. He said it was dangerous for liim to do so without having first obtained the royal permission ; nevertheless, he would go at all hazards. Theodore at the time occupied a raised seat, near the audience-hall, hearing a case judicially; so Samuel went and stood before him. The King asked him, through his spokesman, what he wanted; and on Samuel answering that he had a message from me, he commanded liini to approach and communicate what he had to say. After my message was delivered he said, " Ah ! my friend, Aito Rii-ssam, why liave I ill-treated you thus?" Thereupon lie called his valet, Wald-Gabir, and directed him to accom- pany Aito Samuel and convey his compliments to my com- panions and myself. I was also told that I might send one of my interpreters every day with compliments to the King, as I had done heretofore.
On the morning of the lotli we were allowed to pitch our tents, and the guard was ordered not to intrude upon our privacy, but to watch a short distance off. In the afternoon the King sent to inform me that Consul Cameron and his party had arrived from Korata, and, as he did not wish them to bo with the ^fission, he had ordered them to be placed in the inclnsurc, some distance from us. As the day was very h(4, anil I knew that Consul Cameron and the ladies must be very tired after what they luul undergone, I sent and asked the King if he would allow them to ride as far as the inclosure. IJo immediately gave his consent, and ordered
92 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XYI.
three mules to be supplied from bis stable. He afterwards sent, through me, a cow, a basket of tej bread, and a jar of mead, for each of the European prisoners, with some butter and red-pepper sauce. After a while, when I heard that they had been allowed only one tent, I sent and requested his Majesty to permit me to send them another — one belonging to the Mission. As he made no objection, I sent it to them, with a few skins for bedding.
Early on Monday, the 16th, all the Chiefs were ordered to attend the Court A\hich his Majesty had intended to hold on the European prisoners. About eight o'clock everything was in readiness for our reception, and the King sent to us to say that as he wished to receive my companions and myself as friends, we were to go to him iu uniform, at once, before he sent for the prisoners ; so \\ e dressed and repaired to his presence. We found the King sitting on a couch, on the left of the throne, at the door of the audience-chamber, and about 1,000 officers standing on the right and loft, while the Eases were sitting below him, on the left, with their backs turned to him, in accordance with court etiquette. The European artisans occupied a place about ten feet behind us. As soon as my companions and I appeared, he wel- comed us, and asked us to sit at the foot of the throne, on his right hand. He said he had sent for us before the captives came, in order to assure us of his unceasing friendship, and that we must not think he was going to place us on a par with them ; for it was quite impossible for him to have any ill-feeling against us. liefcrring to our arrest on the lijth, he said he was sorry for what had taken place, but he never meant that we should bo roughly handled ; it Avas true that ho had given Jiis soldiers orders to search us, but they had greatly exceeded their duty ; that my
18GG. April. A ROYAL ASSIZE. 93
companions ought not to have worn swords ; and that it was only through tlie stupidity of Samuel that they were allowed to appear with them on our first visit to him in Damot.
As the morning was very hot, and we were sitting in the sun, the King provided us with umbrellas. In the mean time the imprisoned Europeans were sent for, and I was glad to find that ]\[rs. Ivosenthal and Mrs. Flad were not summoned with their husbands. Samuel having intimated that Consul Cameron was not well enough to walk, the King ordered him a mule from his own stable. After we had been more than an hour talking to the King upon different subjects, Consul Cameron and his party made their appear- ance, chained arm to arm, in coujiles. After the usual com- jiliments, they were told to approach, and directed to stand about twenty yards in front of the King. Consul Cameron was then called to come forward, and the King ordered him to be unfettered. Wlien freed from his chains, ho was told to sit with my companions and myself, the King turning towards me, saying, "Pie is one of you; let him sit down witli you." 'M. Bardel was then called forward; and after his chain had been removed, ho was told to take a seat next to us. I was not at all surprised to see this last act of clemency on the part of the King; my only wonder was that M. Ijardel had not been released before.
Alter this the King told mo that some of tlio Europeans who were present had abused him and said that be was of low origin: whereas ho was n^idy to prove before me tluit he was desceuded from ncjbh' families both on the fatluir and mother's side. A number of ol 1 men wore called and nked different questions about the King's pedigree ; of course, lh<y all (h'clared, on oath, that what the King had said aljout his forefathers was true. All the witnessi-s had to
94 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
swear by the dcatli of tlie Bishop — the most biuding oath in Abyssinia — that the King was descended from the first King of Judah; and even the puppet Emperor, liatse Yu- liannes, who was sick and could not come to the assembly, was referred to. The King was so anxious that I should believe all this, that he insisted upon my sending a repre- sentative with Eas I'ngada and two other Chiefs to hear, in my behalf, the testimony from the mouth of the ex-Emperor.
When the King was satisfied that I was convinced of his noble descent, he said that he had some charges against the Europeans who were then standing before him, and he requested that all questions and answers should pass through me. I had no other alternative but to assent. As the King spoke in Amharic, Aito Samuel had to translate what his Majesty said into Arabic ; and as some of the prisoners did not understand English, Mr. Flad had to render what I said into German. So both questions and answers had to pass through three different mouths before they were disposed of. The King did not choose on that occasion to speak Amharic either to Mr. Flad or to any of liis fellow- captives ; and as they were standing a good distance oflP, I had sometimes to repeat his Majesty's words twice before they could hear them.
The first thing tlie King asked the prisoners was, why they had left without coming to see him ? Whereupon I inter- posed and remarked that, if allowed to do so, I would answer that question [myself. Tlie King replied, " Wait : I m ant to see what Mr. Stern and his party say."
When this question was put to them, IMr. Flad replied on the part of his fellow-prisoners, that th(^y had nothing to say on the subject, as the King had made them all over to me, and they had only to listen to my orders ; that I was the
1800. April. THE AUTHOE'S DEFENCE. 95
only one wlio was responsible to his Majesty, and that through me tln-y had acted as they had done. The King then told them thoy ought to have begged me to bring them to him. I then told the King that if any one was to blame for the released captives not having gone to him it was myself, and I trusted that ho would not lay the fault to tlieir charge. He then began the old complaints against tlio prisoners indi- vidually ; even Mr. Flad, who had never before been accused of having abused the King, did not escape on that occasion.
When the King had finished with the prisoners, he ordered me to stand before him, with Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, to answer certain questions which he wished to put to me. I was asked why I had not taken the Mugdala European prisoners to him to beg his ^lajesty's pardon before they left the country. I replied, that he had never intimated to mo, either by letter or otherwise, that he wished me to do so; but, on the contrary, I had always heard that he did not wish to see them. He then asked, why I had allowed the released captives to leave Korata instead of bringing them to Zago? I replied, that I had done so with his sanction, which I could prove by his IMajesty's letter, and also through his own oflicer, Lij Abitu. Whereupon the King called Lij Aljitu to come forward, and asked him if it was true that ho had received his ]\rajesty's permission to take the released ca[)tives away from Korata. He answered in the aflirmative; nml ho even went so far as to tell the King that when he had delivered my message to him about dispensing with the iittendance of the released captives, his ^lajesly had received my suggestion with great approbation.
After this, the King looked at mo and saitl, "I)o you con- sider yourself a King?" I replied in the negative, but said that I was his friend, and begged to knctw what T had done to
9G DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
lead him to ask me such a question. He said that I had taken away the European released captives witliout reconciling them to him, in order that I might boast, on my return to England, that I had conducted them out of Abyssinia by my own power and skill ; * that, had I brought them to Zage, he would have given them mules and money, whereas they were now in chains.
AVe were then asked to sit down, as formerly, at the foot of the throne — reckoned the most honourable post — and he recommenced his grievances against the rebels and the Turks, and said that he hoped one day to show me how he could thrash the unbelievers. " Ah ! " he said, " if the English would only assist me, we could build a fence round Sennaar." (Sennaar is a large district in the possession of the Egyptian Government, on the western frontier of Abyssinia.) He then concluded by saying, " Is this your friendship, Mr. Rassam, that you wish to leave me and take away those who have abused me ? Wherever I am, there you shall be." He then became all smiles^ rose, and told us to go back to our tents. I thought that as I had taken the blame upon myself for the departure of the prisoners from Korata, ho would now release them from their fetters ; but, on seeing that he did not do so, I asked him to oblige me by ordering their chains to be removed. He replied, " We have had enough for to-day ; I will see to the rest to-morrow." Thereupon, Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Pridoanx and I rctiirnt-d to our tents, Consul
* From some invidious remarks which have recently been published on the Continent, wherein the writer assumes to have been cognizant of my feelings when the success of the Mission seemed certain, and ventures, moreover, to dilate on the anticipation which I then entertained of a hand- some reward in store for me from the Government, I have no doubt that this idea was suggested to the King, indirectly, by some of the European artisans.
186C. April. KOYAL FROWNS AXD SMILES. 97
Cameron accompanying us, tbe King having given him permission to that effect. His Majesty left in company with M. Bardel.
Never before, since my arrival in Abyssinia, had Theodore manifested such bitter animosity against the prisoners as he did on this occasion ; and although I took all the blame upon myself for their not having gone in person to be recon- ciled to him, nevertheless he declined to accede to my earnest appeal for their release, and it was not until I had engaged to become surety for them that he allowed their fetters to be removed. On the other hand, M. Bardel, against whom so much has been said, as having been at the bottom of all the mischief which created the breach between the King and his European captives, underwent no questioning whatever, and was directed to sit by our side. That the whole thing was a solemn farce, there cannot be the shadow of a doubt ; even Theodore himself could not restrain a smile when he blamed me for having tried to smuggle a large party of Em'opeans out of his territories, just as if they were a bale of cotton, knowing at the same time that I had acted throughout with his special sanction. If I, personally, had been the object of the King's displeasure, why, before the arrival of the captives on the day of the trial, did he ask me to sit by his side and have a friendly chat ? And how comes it, if such had been the case, that he did not tell me to hold my peace, when I afterwards begged him to ludVtter the captives? Why, moreover, if ho entertained any distrust of me, did he shortly after grant my request, on condition that I became security for them ? And why, lastly, if he really had been offended with me, did he never again, for a whole year, allude to the charge ho had preferred against me on that occasion ? Tiie whole aflfair had been got up — as he liimself afterwards told me on
VOL. II. H
98 DISGEACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
several occasions, and as the tenor of his subsequent letters to me ^vill prove — as a mere pretext to detain me in the coimtry for the furtherance of his own indefinite views. But I am anticipating.
At sunrise next morning, the 17th, we saw the King busily engaged in marking out a piece of .ground within the royal inclosure, which was to be fenced in, and we were told that it was intended for u?, as his Majesty had resolved to place us there, together with all the Europeans for whom I stood security. When the soldiers began to construct the fence, the King sent me this message — that for my sake he would release the prisoners from their chains, provided I became surety for their good behaviour. I replied, that I could not give him an answer before I had spoken to them, as none of them were servants of our Government, nor were they all British subjects. The King then ordered them all to repair to my tent. When they had expressed their willingness that I should be surety for them, I sent and informed his Majesty of the fact. After a while, the King's consent was obtained for striking o£f the chains, and when his Majesty heard that all had been unfettered, he sent me this message : " Mind, Mr. Kassam, although you have become surety for all the Euro- peans, and I hold you alone responsible for their acts, yet I shall always be at your service to assist you in case any of them become refractory or troublesome. Only tell me to chain this man or imprison the other, and I will do as you bid me. Do not fear ; I will take care of them for you."
Shortly after, all the Europeans were summoned to appear before the King that we might have a private " chawata " (chat) together. We all went to the same audience-hall in a body, and, aftcn- the usual salutations were over, Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Pridcaux, Consul Cameron and I were invited
186G. April. THEODORE'S PENITENCE. 99
by the King to sit next to him, on his left hand, while the artisans were told to occupy a place between the door and tlie King's right. His Majesty placed a pillow for me to lean upon, near him. When we had sat down, the released captives were called in, and after prostrating themselves they were directed to sit on our left, near another entrance. The King on that occasion put on a most humble counte- nance, and asked us all to forgive and to forget. He then bowed his head and said, "For Christ's sake, forgive me." All of us, including myself and companions, were obliged to stoop, following his example. So intent were we on showing our respect, that we forgot the royal head was still bent, till one of the European artisans called out, '•' You have forgotten the King's head ; tell his Majesty to sit up." I then apolo- gized to the King, and begged him to raise his head.
When this ceremony was over, the King told Consul Cameron that he had received a petition from his (the Con- sul's) relatives and the relatives of his late fellow-captives, which he characterized as " touching," and asked him to read it for the edification of all those who understood English. Accordingly, Consul Cameron read it in full. This done, the King looked towards Mr. Stern and his party, and said that they ought to be very grateful to me for the great trouble I had undergone for them. They were all dismissed, but my com- panions, the European artisans and myself were told to remain a little while longer. Dr. Beke's letter was not produced, neither did the King make any allusion to it.
I had hoped that after this formal reconciliation there would be no furtlier hindrance to our departure ; but I \Aas sadly disappointed. As soon as we were left alone, the King called the Chief Scribe and directed him to write what he should dictate. Aito Samuel was ordered to translate to mo
n 2
100 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XYI.
word by word as they went on ; and after a great deal of dis- puting about certain phrases and titles, between the Monarchy the scribes, Aito Samuel and "Wald-Gabir, the yalet, the following letter to our Queen was decided upon : —
" In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — One God.
" From. God's slave and His created being, the son of David, the son of Solomon, the King of kings, Theodorus.
" To her whom God has exalted above all people, the Defender of the Christian Faith, the Protector of the poor and oppressed, the Queen of England, Victoria.
"Had not yonr servant Mr. Ilormuzd Eassam, whom yovt said that yon had sent in the affair of Mr. Cameron, come, but the lowest of yonr slaves, I would have welcomed him. By tho power of God, I have released Mr. Cameron and made him over to your ser\^ant, Mr. Eassam ; and, by the powder of God, I have also released the other prisoners and all other Europeans wlio might wish to leave the country, and made them over to him ; and I have kept your seivant Mr. Hormuzd Eassam for the sake of consulting together upon the extension of our friendshijx We, the people of Ethiopia, are blind, and we beg of j^our Majesty that j^ou would give light to our eyes, aud so may you receive light in the kingdom of Heaven."
My feelings may well be conceived when I understood that I was to be retained as a hostage ; for such, undoubtedly, was the case, although the King had expressed it differently. We were then in his power, and it was useless to protest against his double-dealing, or to refuse sending the lettei-. Good advice he would not take, and any opposition to his will on my part might have led him to treat all the Europeans with still greater severity.
It luis been asserted that tlio King liad asked me tO' remain with him as a hostage, leaving Consul Cameron and the otlicr released captives to depart out of the country, aud that I had refused my consent. How this absurd story origi- nated I cannot tell ; all I can say is that Theodore never
1806. Aprix. THEODORE'S LETTER TO THE QUEEN. 101
once hinted any such proposal to me. Besides, the story itself is preposterous, since if the Iving really entertained a desire to send the captives away, retaining me in his power, ho unquestionably might have done so without asking my sanction to the arrangement. Having once made them over to me, to be taken by me out of Abyssinia, I am convinced that, ill-disposed as he was towards them, the thought never occurred to him to let them go without me. The fact is, from the time he informed her Majesty that he had released the captives and consigned them to me, he never considered them in any way apart from me as the head of the Mission. In his letter to Dr. Beke, in answer to the petition forwarded by the relatives of the captives, he says, " the prisoners, from Avhose families you brought a petition, I have released for the sake of my friend, the Queen, and have made them over to 3rr. Rassam to take out witli him when he leaves Abyssinia." In like manner, whereas the King had sent all my fellow- captives with me to the British camp on the 11th of April, 1868, when referring to that circumstance on the following day, in his letter to Sir Robert Napier, he merely says, " I sent to you Mr. Rassam the same evening, that your heart might be made easy."
After we left, Theodore sent me the following note, with a message that he wished me to write a letter to accompany his own. lie also asked me to select one of the Europeans to take it to England and bring an answer : —
" From God's slave and II is created being, the son of David, tho son of Solomon, the King of kings, Thcodorus.
" To my friend and counsellor, the sei-vant of tho Queen of England, Aito Hormuzd Iiassam.
" My dosiro is that you should send to her Majesty, the Queen, and obtain for me a man who can make cannons and nniskcts, and one who can smelt iron; also an instructor of artillery. I
102 DISGRACE OF THE MISSIOX. Chap. XVI..
want these people to come liero with their implements and every- thing necessary for their work, and then thej^ shall teach us and return. By the power of God, forward this my request to England."
He said, further, that he would like to see the letter before I sent it. This led me to draw it up in terms which might please him, in case he had it read. The following is a copy of the letter which I addressed on the occasion to her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs : —
" Emperor's Court at Zage, April 18, 1866. "My Lord,
" I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship that my companions, Dr. Blanc and Mr. Prideaux, and I reached the Court of the Emperor of Abyssinia on the 28th of January, and his Majesty gave us a most magnificent reception, and treated us with great kindness and civility.
"He received her Majesty's letter graciously; in answer to which he wrote a very friendly and courteous reply.
" I had the first interview with his Majesty on the very after- noon of my arrival at his Court, when he related to me all his grievances with regard to Consul Cameron and the other Euro- pean prisoners. Early the next morning he ordered the release of all the prisoners, a nominal list of whom is hercAvith inclosed for your Lordship's information. All the released prisoners have been made over to me by his Majesty, and are now with me, en- joying good health.
" All the prisoners presented themselves before the Emperor on the 16th instant, and after the charges were read to them, they all confessed that they were wrong in what they had written and spoken against his Majesty. The Emperor then for- gave Ihem for all that they had done, and said that he would bo as friendly towards them henceforth as he is towards myself and my companions.
"His Majesty has been good enough to present me with 10,000 dollars for my expenditure, and has in every respect been very kind and hospitable. The other day ho did me the honour of coming in person to see me in my tent, and said that he held.
1866. April. LETTER TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE. 103
me dear on account of my being the servant of his friend, the British Queen. He has also presented me with a royal saddle, shield, sword, spear and armlet, and has given each of my com- panions a shield, spear and armlet, in addition to five mules. He is about to create an Order, with which he intends to invest us.
" His Majesty has had for some years a desire to procure some scientific men from England, and yesterday he spoke to me about obtaining for him two or three men who could teach his people how to make cannons, muskets and shot, and how to melt iron ; also an instructor of artillery. He said he wished these persons to come here with their instruments and everything necessaiy for their work, and after they had taught his people they should be allowed to return.
" His Majesty would be much obliged to her Majesty's Govern- ment if his request could be complied with, and from his second letter to the Queen, which I inclose herewith, your Lordship will perceive that we are all detained in this country for the present, for friendship's sake.
" I should be obliged if her Majesty's Government could send me 100,000 percussion-caps of different sizes, a few double- barrelled rifles and pistols, some gunpowder, a boat, if practi- cable, for the use of his Majesty on the Lake, and any other thing which Mr. Flad, who is the bearer of this letter, may suggest.
" If her Majesty's Government are able to send the persons re- quired, it is necessary that they should be informed that they will be required to remain in the service of the Emperor at least one year, and that no European articles are obtainable here."
With regard to the messenger, I left the selection to the King, and I was glad to find that he chose Mr. Flad, as I knew he would report honestly and truthfully all that had taken place between me and the King since my first recep- tion at Court. I did not omit to request Mr. Flad to inform her Majesty's Government of the restraint under which I wrote the forcfjoiuff letter.
Before writing the letter, however, I asked Aito Samuel to speak to the King about the unfriendly course be was
101 DISGRACE OF THE MISSION. Chap. XVI.
pursuing, and to advise him to allow us all to leave the country ; to say, also, that everything lie wanted would be attended to. His answer was, that I ought by that time to know the King well enough to be convinced that he was not a man to listen to advice, or to be diverted from doing what he had decided upon, whether good or bad. I also applied to Mr. Waldmcier and Mr. Moritz Hall, who were then in great favour with his Majesty, on the same subject ; but they agreed with Samuel that no intervention would be of any avail.
In the coiurse of the day the King sent me an Abyssinian criminal in chains, a young man about twenty years of age, who had killed his own mother for the sake of plunder. His Majesty wished me to hear the murderer's confession of guilt, in order that I might see what a bad set of people he had to deal with. " Were I to order this wicked man to be ex- ecuted according to law " — such was the conclusion of Theo- dore's message — " some of the Europeans whom I have made over to you would denounce me as a murderer." By the Abyssinian code, this matricide A\ould have been mutilated and his remains left to rot above ground ; but the King ordered him to be shot, and his body to be interred. Kot- withstandiug all the cruelties practised by Theodore, he was fur more lenient in his judgments than the Ftitteh-Negust, or the common law in Abyssinia. It is undeniable that he occasionally sacriiiced human life wholesale ; nevertheless he ^^as not guilty of half the barbarities of Dajjaj Oobe or Sahela Salasse, the old king of Shoa. Trior to Theodore's reign, men \\ ere deprived of their eyes, tongues, hands, and other members — to say nothing of still more horrible tor- tures to which they were liable — for slight misdemeanours ; whereas I beheve a traveller might go through the length
S66. April. THE AITOS ARRAIGNED. 105
and breadth of the country without fiuding a single instance of such mutilation caused by Theodore.
In the afternoon we moved our tents within the fence which had been erected for us in ^the morning, and then the rest of the Europeans were brought to the same place. The artisans were allowed to occupy a spot at the outskii-ts.
After we had returned to our tents, the Aitos Samuel, Kasa and Wande were summoned before the King to be tried for having assisted me in sending letters to the coast. The two last were the first to be arraigned. Their simple answer was, that having received a written order from his Majesty to attend to my wants and to obey any instructions which they might receive from me through Aito Samuel, they had conformed strictly to the directions of his Majesty's •confidential Baldaraba.
Samuel's turn came next, and on being asked whether it Avas true that he had told those merchants to find messenfjers for me, and, if so, how he dared to do so without his Majesty's permission, he replied in the affirmative, alleging that he did not think there was any harm in my -writing to inform my friends in England of the release of the captives, and of his Majesty's kindness towards me, which I had assured him formed the contents of the letters. He pleaded, moreover, that when we left the King in Ag6\vmeder, his Majesty hud given him stringent orders to obey mo in everything, and to serve me as a slave.
The merchants were then charged with having supplied the rebels of Gojjam with muskets. This they indignantly denied, as being two of In's Majesty's most loyal subjects ; whereupon he ordered them to be chained by the hand to a couple of his soldiers, and imposed a fine upon them of 20,000 dollars. They managed to scrape together a moiety
106 DISGRACE OF THE MISSIOX. Chap. XYI.
of that sum by the sale of their property, but the King insisted that it should be paid in full, and, to that end, had them subjected to torture. By borrowing and begging they collected a little more. As even that did not satisfy the inexorable tyrant, he resorted to the rope. Finding, after subjecting them to every species of cruelty for several months, that nothing more could be extorted from 'them, he left them in chains, and ultimately sent them to Magdala. Aito Kasa, who was really a good man and respected by all who knew him, was upwards of sixty years old.
As soon as Kantiba Hailo heard that I was to be detained, he went to the King and advised him to send me away, telling him that ten thousand men would be a less formidable array for him to contend against than my tongue. The only re- joinder he received was this : — " Aha ! I know now that you are my enemy and that Mr. Eassam is my friend. You had better hold your tongue, you old fool, and go away." The kind man came to me afterwards, and recommended me to put the best face upon my misfortunes ; " for," said he, " you can do no good by appearing gloomy." In the course of the evening, Itamanyo, the favourite Queen, sent me a similar message, with this addition : — " If you take matters cheerily, you have nothing to fear ; everything will come right at last^ for the King really loves you." The disgrace of the Mission was also, I believe, sincerely deplored by the European artisans, especially by Mr. Waldmeier and Mr. Moritz Hall — two upright men, who I am sure would have done their best to assist us. Unfortunately, they were powerless in this instance to influence the perverse Monarch.
1866. Apbil. 107
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER AEEEST AT ZAGE.
Presents from the King — He restores our confiscated property — His studied courtesy — Theodore not a good marksman — " Who is your father ? " — Our Queen's birthday commemorated by the King — Another letter from Dr. Beke — Theodore kills a man at a blow — Artillery practice — Theodore's account of his strategy and exploits — His nimble- ness — His cruelties at this time — A case of high treason — " Shrimps " and " Bob " — The ItCge's Mdrrjaf — The peninsula and town of Zage — Theodore's " imitation of a steamer " — A native Tournament.
On the IStli of April the King sent the presents which he had intended to give us on leaving Abyssinia, namely, to me, a royal saddle, shield, sword, spear and armlet ; and a shield, spear and armlet to each of my companions. Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux ; also a first-rate mule for each of us. (When we were sent to Magdala as prisoners, all these pre- sents were taken from us, excepting the armlets.) That day my companions and I went out for a ride, as we were told it would please the King. The Master of the Horse and two other officers accompanied us.
On the morning of the 21st, the day Mr. Plad left for England, the King restored all our arms and silver trinkets ; and of the money he took on the 13th of April he sent me back 1,000 dollars, with a promise that he would soon give me back the whole, and present my companions and myself with the Order of the " Cross and Solomon's Seal," the decorations of which were not quite ready. Of the cash which was taken from the other captives when they were arrested and chained
108 UNDER ARREST AT ZAGfi. Citap. XYII.
near Koiita, amounting nearly to 800 dollars, lie only sent them back, through me, 550 dollars, which, he said, was all the money that had reached him. It appears that the soldiers who carried out the confiscation had not forgotten to help themselves on the occasion.
As the King wished to show Mr. Flad, before he left for Europe, that his jMajesty and I were on the best terms, he came to pay me a visit just before that gentleman started ; and, on seeing the floor of my tent bare, he fetched some carpets, and spread them himself on the ground, with the assistance of Eas I'ngada and Aito Samuel. He afterwards sent the chief minister to carpet the tents of Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux. On his rising to depart, I asked him if he would allow me to escort him as far as his house. He immediately advanced, took me by the hand, and said, " Come on." We walked together, hand in hand, all the way, and the Abyssiniaus could not help smiling to sec the Great Emperor walking as a bosom friend ^\ith his prisoner. On going out of the inclosure the King saw one of the Chiefs of our guard, Eas Wald-Maryam, standing at attention; his Majesty stopped and asked him what business he had there. The Chief answering that he was keeping guard, he said to him, " "What ! you are watching my friend Eassam ? Go away at once. I have nothing to fear from him ; " and then, pointing to his mouth, lie added, "not if he were to put the muzzle of a pistol here."
After that day every one ^^"as able to go out when he liked, either walking or riding ; but I was not allowed to move a yard without some oflicers to attend me, whom the King called a " guard of honour." Ultimately, my protectors were reduced to the Bahlaraba and the Master of the Horse.
Soon alter Mv. ]"lad's departure, tlie King presented
186G. April. "WHO IS YOUR FATHER?" 109'
Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and myself with a tliorongli- bred Galla horse each.
The King became more afifectionate in his manner towards me every day, taking me with him on several occasions to shoot hippopotami at one of their favourite haunts on tlic northern extremity of the Zage peninsula, where the southern side of the Lake takes the form of a spacious bay. Twice he left me alone with his followers to try my luck, while he retired into the thick wood to pray, as, starting from home as he always did before sunrise, it was too early for him to repair to the church. He was by no means a good shot, and whenever he missed he always abused the rifle, saying, "Who is your father?" This, one of the most offensive epithets in Abyssinia, consists of two words, both Semitic, — " 3Ian abut ? " — and is addressed indiscriminately to animate and inanimate objects. A native almost instinctively uses it to a stone which has tripped him, or to a troublesome fly. Thus, on tlie great day of the trial at Zage, there were so many flies near the door of the audience-hall where the King- was seated, that one entered the royal mouth and nearly choked him. On ejecting it, he vilified the hapless insect by the usual reflection on its paternity. Whenever the question is asked, no abuse being intended, the words arc transposed — the noun being made to precede the pronoun, thus : " Abateh, mannu ? " — "Your father, who is ho ?" Twice, at Magdala, I inadvertently used the wrong phrase when asking whose cliild my visitor was. The Abyssinians, who arc generally good-natured, knowing that I did so from ignorance of their language, could not help bursting out into laughter at my mistake.
The King, having heard from Samuel tliat tli<^ 21th of May was our Queen's birthday, sent to me in the morning
110 UNDER ABEEST AT ZAGfi. Chap. XVII.
to say he was going to make a holiday in honour of Her Majesty, and that he had ordered all his people to be merry. He asked me to give him permission to entertain all the servants of the Europeans who were with me, Indians as well as Abyssinians. There was nothing but feasting the whole day in our establishment, as well as in that of the King. His Majesty having learnt also that it was customary in our country to fire a salute on this anni- versary, ordered that the same form should be observed. He requested me to take all my fellow-Euro j)eans do^Mi to the shore of the Lake to witness the firing. At noon precisely we were ready on the sj)ot, and witnessed the salute of twenty-one guns fired " in honour of the birthday of the great Queen of England."
On the 27th, another messenger arrived with a letter from Dr. Beke, dated from Halai, to the address of the King. His Majesty forwarded the letter to me after he had read it, and asked me to reply to it. I sent him back word that it was not customary in our coimtry to answer a letter which was not addressed to one's self. Next day he sent to say that as I objected to answer Dr. Beke myself, he hoped that I would get his Amharic version translated into English for him. Not wisliing to annoy the King by refusing, I asked Lieutenant Prideaux to do so.
Dr. Beke told the King in his letter that, as he had heard that his Majesty had graciously released the captives, he Avas coming up to thank liim for his act of clemency. He also informed the King that the rebels of Tigre had im- prisoned him, and demanded from him as many dollars as there were stones at Halai, and as much powder as there was dust. He asked his Majesty to send and have him released. Li his answer Theodore told Dr. Beke that ho had no
1866. Apktt. THEODORE KILLS A SUPPLIANT. Ill
business to penetrate into Abyssinia witbout bis (tbe King's) permission, and he directed bim to go down to ]^Iasso^\ab and await there until further orders. He would not see either Dr. Beke's first or second messenger, and both were told to remain in our encampment imtil they were dis- missed.
Tbe King was reported to be very much out of temper this morning, and while in that mood be had caused tbe death of a poor peasant who bad applied to him for justice in the matter of a field which was in dispute between him and one of bis neighbours. Tbe appellant, it appears, not hearing distinctly what tbe King bad said, repeated his question, whereupon bis Majesty, who was then standing in the courtyard, stooping down, seized a piece of a rafter about six inches long and five in diameter and felled him with it to the groimd with one fatal blow. Mr. Bender and Mr. Moritz Hall, two of tbe royal artisans, who were just then paying some visits within our fence, were summoned before his Majesty, who abruptly asked where they had been prowling. They replied that they bad been to see me, which was not tbe case, as they had not entered my tent. Mr. Moritz Hall told me tbe story laughingly, stating that they ' were in too great dread of a severe rebuke to say at tbe time that they had been calling on any one else.
It bad previously been arranged by tbe King that I should accompany him this same morning to witness some practice from a three-pounder gun which had been cast at Gafifut. When, in pursuance of this arrangement, Samuel came to take me and my companions to follow his ]\Iajesty, he could scarcely walk from fear of meeting bis royal master in his present dangerous mood ; but as neither be nor I dared to refuse, Blanc, Prideaux and I donned our uniforms and set
112 UNDER ARREST AT ZAGE. Chap. XVIL
ofl'. Two of the released captives, named Kerans and McKelvie, both Irishmen, who had formerly been in Consul Cameron's employ, the former as secretary and the latter as a servant, had already volunteered to enter the royal service, but for some reason or other, known only to the King, his Majesty had declined their offer. On this occasion, however, he sent to say that McKelvie, who had informed him that he was au artilleryman, was to accompany us. When we were yet full half a mile from the royal cavalcade^ Samuel advised us to dismount. We did so, and marched slo\\ ly onward, no one venturing to utter a word — not unlike a funeral procession. The King, who had an eye like a haAvk, on seeing that we had arrived, sent to bid us mount and follow him, and in less than five minutes we were by his side. After the usual inquiries about our health, which he uttered in a most lugubrious style, as if he had just been bereft of both his parents, he asked me where he should post the gun for practice towards the Lake. Being altogether ignorant of gunnery, I referred him to Messrs. Moritz Hall and McKelvie, who were walking near me. Thereat he looked as black as thunder — his bare reply made many a man quake behind me — and said peevishly to me, "Never mind Moritz and McKelvie : I want you to indicate the site." As soon as Samuel translated these words to me, I pointed out a slight rise in the ground a little in advance of us, where the King immediately ordered the gun, which had been brought on the back of one mule and the carriage on another, to be put together. His Majesty then retired to the wood to pray for about half an hour; on his return he looked much more placid, and began to relate to me his exploits against ''those infidel Mohammedans, the Turks and Gallas." He told me that from childhood he had been fond of artillery practice, and that
18GG. April. THEODORE'S CIIUSADES. 113
the first cannon he made was constructed out of the trunk of a tree, bored, and bound round with rings of iron. To charge it, he had the butt-end fixed in the ground, and after it was filled with powder and stone, and well rammed down, he fired it against the infidels by means of a train. He said, also, that he had been addicted to using mines in his engagements with the Gallas, believing that all Mohammedans deserved to be killed and sent to Gehenna wholesale. One day he made a formidable mine, which he intended to spring when the Galla horse advanced to the attack, but one of his disaifected sub- jects had apprised the enemy of tlie design, which caused them to change their tactics. He had also employed looking- glasses to dazzle the eyes of man and beast, and by these and other stratagems he had concluded an honourable peace witli tlie Gallas, after having obliged them to pay the tribute ■which they had refused to his forefathers for centuries. Wliile on the expedition referred to, a Turk of high rank was seized by his soldiers and taken before him, and on seeing the wretched man, he said to him, '* So you have come thus fiir to fight against me ! Lut, never mind ; as you are a stranger and know no better, I will do you no harm. There- upon," continued his Majesty, " I sent him safely to the border, telling him to go home, and not to let me behold his face again." The King was highly excited while relating these adventures to mo, and every one was delighted that lie seemed so fully absorbed by his subject.
Although j\[('Kelvio had offered his services to his ]\Injesty as a skilled artilleryman, and he had been specially ordered to attend on this occasion, he was not called upon to assist in any way, th<! entire management of the gun being left to I\[r. ]\roritz Hall. His practice was so successful that the King rushed upon him in an ecstasy of delight, kissjing
VOL. II. I
114 UNDER ARREST AT ZAGE. Chap. XVII.
his head and calling him his "pet son." '(In less than a year afterwards this same Moritz Hall, than whom none of the other Europeans served Theodore more faithfully, was, out of sheer caprice on the part of his ungrateful employer, dragged in foot- and hand- chains for nearly six months between Debra Tabor and Magdala.) The artillery practice ended, his Majesty asked me to follow him to a rocky part near the Lake, to shoot at the ducks and geese which frequent the beach, presenting me at the same time with a fowling- piece, which he thought better than my own. We had not proceeded more than a hundred yards when he called my attention to a flying goose. I accordingly fired, and must have winged the bird, for it could not fly, but was swimming as fast as it was able towards the open Lake. Not wishing to lose the prize, I commenced running over the rough ground, and, on placing my foot on a smooth rock, slipped and fell. The King was by my side in a moment, and raising me by one arm said, in Arabic, "Else, my son, and take heart ; may your enemies die in your stead ! " It was mar- vellous to see with what dexterity his Majesty jumped from one rock to another, never tripping and never seemingly deterred by the sharp stones, though he was barefooted. He then proceeded to shoot vultures — a sure sign, so Samuel informed me, that he was out of temper. Betaking himself to " sleep," or scourging and ruthlessly shedding of blood, were other well-known symptoms of his being in an angry mood. In fact, during this period, the King perpetrated some fearful deeds of cruelty, causing several Chiefs and also a lady of rank to be flogged to death a few yards from our inclosure. I was generally out riding when these tragedies were jjerformed, and only heard of them on my return. The fence round our camp was so loosely constructed that every-
1866. April. A LADY SCOURGED. 115
thing wliicli took place on the opposite side could be dis- tinctly seen through it. Unfortunately for her, Mrs. Eosen- thal's tent was nearest to the spot where these horrible scenes occurred, so that she could hear every Jash as it descended on the body of the writhing sufferers. When the King was about to commit one of these outrages, the Master of the Horse generally came to me beforehand and suggested that I should take a ride, under the plea that his Majesty would be pleased to know that I was enjoying myself. On one occasion, on our return from a short excursion, the same official, hearing the lash going, told me to proceed at a slow pace, as it was not desirable that we should enter the royal Court while the King was holding an assize in the inclosure. We accordingly took another turn, and reached our own camp just as the King had inflicted about one hundred and fifty lashes with an Abyssinian whip, called a jerdf, on a young lady of noble birth, because she had not given due notice that her husband intended to desert and join the rebels in Gojjam. The poor creature swore that she was utterly ignorant of her husband's plans until the day after his desertion, and appealed to the generosity of her inexor- able judge not to punish her for the sake of a man whose very desertion proved that he did not care for her. " Throw her down; by my death, scourge her!" was the only reply to her earnest pleadings. Twice, while I was in our camp, he held a Court to try officers charged with high treason, but on neither of these occasions was the sentence of the lash awarded. The victims were ordered to be stripped naked and left day and night in the open air, in the market- place, for the space of a fortnight, loaded with chains and with a heavy beam, branching out at one end like a yoke, affixed to their necks. On one of these trials he sent to
I 2
IIG UNDER ARREST AT ZAG£. Chap. XVIL
request that I would depute one of my followers to be present, in order that I might be convinced what atrocious subjects he had. The case was one of high treason, and the accuser a notorious tool of the King's, named Bit- waddad Tadla, a Chief of Bagameder, the man who was sent to arrest Consul Cameron and liis party on their way to the coast from Korata, and who eventually took us prisoners to i\ragdala. His solitary witness was one of his own servants, who could only swear that he once saw the arraigned whisper in his master's ear, but did not know what he said. The charge was, that the accused, who was also a Bagameder Chief, had endeavoured to induce Bitwaddad Tadla to desert with him, and to stir up the peasantry of that district against the King, and that he, Bitwaddad Tadla, should be acknowledged as their Chief. The evidence adduced was considered sufficient to condemn the unfortunate man, and when sentence was passed upon him, his Majesty bade my interpreter come and inform me what a treasonable set of people he had to deal with.
One day the King took it into his head to direct that all the great Chiefs, from the Eases downwards, should dismount on meeting me, and stand still to receive my salutation, if they happened to be walking. This despotic order was as disagreeable to me as to the Chiefs; nevertheless we were obliged to submit : they in obedience to the Sovereign, and I, to do liDnc^nr to his Majesty through them, had also to dismount when they did.
It having been reported, on his own authority, that M. Bardcl had been released and taken again into the royal favour, specially in order that he might translate to the King certain letters and books, taken from the captives, which wcYG known to bo in his Majesty's possession, and
1866. April. THE QUEEN'S ROBE. 117
as M. Bardel's friend, I'ngada Wark, was in constant com- munication with M. Macraire, Consul Cameron's French, servant, we agreed to call M. Bardel '• Shrimps," lest any of his intimates should overhear and report that we had been talking about him. The King we nicknamed " Bob," for the same reason. In fact, we were obliged to exercise the greatest caution in our conversation during the whole time of our detention at Zage. I am bound, however, to mention here that M. Bardel promised not to translate correctly to the King any passages wliich might prove injurious to the cap- tives. At this same period the King himself was unre- mitting in his attentions to the Mission. On one occasion he sent us twenty shdmmas as bedding, and three mdrgafs — the latter an Abyssinian cotton robe, worked with silk instead of twist — because he feared that, as the rainy season had set in, we might feel the cold. The mdrgaf intended for me he had taken from the Queen's person, Itamanyo, the same evening, and the message which accompanied it was as follows : — " I hope that after to-day, when you go out riding, you will wear it, because the ignorant Abyssinians consider that a man is naked unless he wears a shdmma or a mdrgaf, and I wish you to look well when you go abroad ; but if you will not wear it for my sake, I hope you will do so for the sake of the Itege, from whom I have taken it to send to you." In my reply, I thanked his Majesty for the honour he had done me, and also for his kind thought for us ; at the same time, I begged to be excused wearing a dress to whicli I was unaccustomed, and one which was unsuited to me as a servant of the British Queen, assuring him, however, that in any other way I should bo delighted to please him to the best of my ability ; tliat I should not value the mdrgaf tlie less because I did not wear it ; and that I should care-
lis UNDER AEREST AT ZAG^fi. Chap. XVII.
fully treasure it in remembrance of the King and his favourite consort.* This message, I was glad to find, was well received, for he sent back word immediately that I might wear the robe or not, just as I pleased. In reality, there would have been no disgrace in our assuming the robe ; on the contrary, the King was justified in saying that we should have been regarded with greater respect by the common people. On the other hand, however, had I consented to wear it, my companions would have been obliged to follow my example, and there are so many formalities attached to the mode of wearing this garment that, situated as we were, the guests of the King and inmates of the royal camp, the least breach of etiquette — such as wearing it round the body instead of over or below the right or left shoulder — might have subjected the innocent culprit to a beating, or to a severe reprimand from the King. His Majesty always held his Court on the outside of an inclosure which had been erected for the purpose within the yard of the royal precincts, so that any one passing to or from our quarter must needs be seen by the King, who was generally squatting on a small platform raised above the hedge surrounding his residence.
My usual ride, during our stay at Zage, was to the church situated on the summit of the peninsula, about fifteen hun- dred feet above the Lake, and a mile and a half from our camp. There was always a delicious breeze there, and the scenery of the neighbourhood is magnificent. Zage was formerly one of the largest and wealthiest towns in Abys- sinia, and consisted of as many as two thousand houses, or huts, spread over the peninsula, which is about three miles in length and two in breadth. Every hut was detached,
* This robe has been leut to the Managers of the Crystal Palace for public exliibition.
18G6. Apeil. the ZAG£ PENINSULA. 119
with ground sm-rounding it for cultivation. The locality was famous for the growth of coffee, and also for the plant called Gesho, the leaf of which is used for fermenting Uj and beer. It is both bitter and pungent. "WTien the King destroyed the flourishing district of IMetcha, of which it is the capital, Zage shared in the common disaster; but when he visited the place in February he determined to consummate its ruin. On the pretext that the priests had supplied the rebels of Gojjam with arms, he imposed a fine upon the inhabitants which he knew full well they were unable to pay, and when the clergy pleaded that they themselves were starving for want of the necessaries of life, he ordered his troops to sack the place, and to level every hut to the ground — the timber of which they were directed to use as fuel — so that the un- fortunate residents might be deprived of shelter. In less than two hours not a house was left standing, and hundreds of women and children were driven to beg their bread, with hardly a rag to cover them. The men were allowed the option either of entering the royal service or going wherever they pleased. The latter alternative was a sheer mockery, as it was well known that the guards at the outposts were directed to seize all who left the camp, and that a cruel death awaited them. Even when we were there, although all the dwellings had been destroyed, the whole peninsula was thickly wooded with the coffee plant, the geslio, and a variety of other indigenous trees. It is certainly a charming locality, and, blessed with a good government, Zago might in a few years become the centre of a flourishing and remune- rative trade ; and the same may be said of many other equally eligible places in Abyssinia proper. The King had declared that he intended to make Zago his new capital ; but, like many other projects of a similar nature, he never
120 UXI>ER AEREST AT ZAG£. Chap. XYIL
attempted to carry it out. He did indeed erect a great number of large rooms, in the ordinary Abyssinian style, and on our first going to Zage, subsequent to our disgrace, he talked of building us huts for the winter, but finding the place somewhat imhealthy he abandoned the idea of spending the rainy season there. For nearly a month he was engaged in building what he called an imitation of a steamer. Twa large boats, sixty feet long and twenty wide, midships, with wooden decks, and a couple of wheels affixed to the sides of each, to be turned by a handle like that attached to a com- mon gi-indstone, were accordingly constructed ; but although nearly a hundred men were taken on board, tlie wheels were only immersed about four inches. The day they were launched, he invited the members of the Mission to witness the experiment, and the vessel in which he had embarked luoved so rapidly after the bulrushes had got well soaked,, which made it subside deeper into the water, that he seemed almost frantic with joy, whilst the natives looked on with admiring wonder. He did not take us with him on the trial trip because, as he sent to tell us, he feared the boat might sink so deep that we should get wet. He proceeded to try how the vessel would behave against the wind, and on round- ing the peninsula encountered a strong breeze, which soon convinced him of the futility of his attempt. The incon- gruous materials of which the bt)at was constructed, one elastic and the other the opposite — no effort having been made to ensure an equal pressure upon them from without — began to give way after a little tossing, and his Majesty deemed it prudent to return as speedily as possible to the smooth water in the bay. From tliat time he appears to liave abandoned all idea of building a royal navy for the liuke of Dumbca.
18CC. April. A Js'ATlYE TOUENAMEXT. 121
On another occasion be invited the members of the Mission to witness the national pastime, called " Giiks " — a kind of tournament, in which he himself was to play a part. On our approach he left the field and came forward to welcome us ; then, placing ns in a convenient spot, he ordered his pages to .spread their shdmmas on the ground for us to sit upon, and left Eas Adilo, of YadjoAv, with us as a guard of honour, saying as he returned to the arena that he hoped we should enjoy the spectacle. Theodore himself opened the joust on horseback, but whotlier or not because they were pitted against the Sovereign, the feigned antagonists soon gave way before him and his party, who always came off victorious. Reeds were used instead of spears, and I noticed that the King made frequent jocular thrusts with this harmless Aveapon at his favourite warriors. When tired of riding, his Majesty dismounted, and ordered a sham fight on foot. This was certainly a wild and picturesque sight. Hundreds of gaily-dressed soldiers entered tlie lists with silver shields and glittering spears. The King chooses his party at random, and the officer on whom the high honour is conferred of coping with his Majesty does the same. When the opposing combatants are fully arrayed, about one hundred yards from each other, the side which represents the King's enemies is allowed to attack first. They rush to the onset with a loud yell, the royal party remaining in the mean time on the de- fensive. When tlie combatants meet hand to hand, a general outburst of screams and whoops ensues, intermingled with snatches of the native war-sonjr and the rinjjin": of the butt- end of lances on each others' shields — sucli a clash as baffles description. The King seemed to surpass all the rest in the agility of his movements and his dexterity in the use of th<' lance, and wherever ho appeared in person his adver-
122 UNDER ARREST AT ZAG£. Chap. XVII.
saries gave way, until at length the royalists remained masters of the field. I could not help deploring on this occasion that Theodore, who had so many qualities calculated to make him the idol of his people, and especially of his army, should possess those qualities in conjunction with other characteristics which neutralized his influence for good, and rendered him the scourge of his subjects. On rejoining us he addressed me as follows : — " I hope, Mr. Eassam, you do not laugh at us for amusing ourselves in this barbarous style. Oh ! how I long to see your way of fighting." To this polite speech I replied that it would be altogether unbecoming in me to ridicule the usages of other nations. Every country had its peculiar mode of warfare, and his feelings, I was sure, were reciprocated by many in England, who would have been delighted to witness what we had seen that day. We rode back together, and on entering the royal courtyard the King dismounted and insisted on escorting me to my tent. On reaching it I said, " Now, as your Majesty has done me this honour, I cannot allow you to proceed to your residence without accompanying you thither ; and I beg you will grant me that favour." He laughed heartily at this, and remarked that if I went with him he must needs return with me again, and our mutual civility would be endless; "but, never mind," he added, " I shall not vex you by refusing your request to accompany me home."
186G. May. DEPARTURE FROM ZAGE. 123
CHAPTEE XVIII.
FROM ZAGE TO DEBRA TABOR.
Departure from Zage in rear of the royal troops — Theodore's courtesy and remorse — We cross the Abai — The King's fickleness — Arrival at Korata — Cholera in the royal camp — Start foi Debra Tabor — The Mission accompanies the King to Gaffat — Theodore and taxation — Abyssinian etiquette in drinking — The European artisans reach Gaifat from Korata — Theodore handles a broom — Loses his centre of gravity — The Mission" and Captives at Gaffat — The King pays the Author a visit and sips Hennessy's brandy — Claims Alexander the Great as well as Solomon as his progenitor — Abyssinian hagiogi-aphy — Theodore and the Bible — The Author arraigned again on fresh charges — The old charges against Consul Cameron and Messrs. Rosenthal and Stern re- jxated — Theodore suspects our Government — Dr. Beke's movements — The King detains the Author at Debra Tabor — Tame lions — Trial of a Chief for high treason.
At the end of May, Zage began to be unhealthy, owing to the rain that had fallen during that month. Consul Cameron and Mrs. Kosenthal having suffered from the effects of the climate, I asked the King to allow them to go to Korata for change of air. I also obtained permission for Mr. Rosen- thal to go with his wife, and for Dr. Blanc to accompany them as medical attendant. The King had been tliinking of moving his camp to Korata from the beginning of May ; but for some cause or other he had delayed his departure until cholera and typhus fever broke out simultaneously amongst his troops. By the time he began to move, about one hundred persons were dying daily in camp. The King had already sent his female establishment by water to Korata, retaining only his favourite wife, the Itege Itanianyo,
124 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOE. Cuap. XVIII.
to keep liim company. At noon on the Cth, the King gave orders for his troops to march towards Korata, round the southern extremity of the Lake, and appointed Infaraz, about six miles from Zage, to be the halting-phice for the night. He himself, "\\ith the Itege, went thither by water. Prideaux, the rest of our European party and myself were left to bo escorted by Eas I'ngada and a cavalcade of other Chiefs. The King actually stood on the shore that day to superintend the embarkation of our luggage, and ho would not start until he was told that everything had been dispatched. At 1 p.m. Ras I'ngada was ready for us, and forthwith we accompanied him on our journey. AVe reached Infaraz after two hours' slow march. The King had also just arrived, and on hearing of our presence he sent a Eas and two Dajazmatshes with their men to pitch our tents. Being in very good spirits just then, he even ordered Mr. Stern's tent to be put up by an officer of high rank. An hour afterwards he sent us two very large boa- constrictors, each about fifteen feet long, which had been killed by his soldiers in the wood close by, and asked if we had any like them in our country.
In the evening the King sent to tell me that he could not sleep the previous night from thinking about the unfortunate day on which he had arrested me and my companions (he alluded to the 13th April). He said, "I have in my time killed hundreds of people, but I liavo never had a feeling of remorse fur their death, because I knew I was doing the will of my Creator in punisliing them as they deserved ; but with regard to yourself, I feel that I have done you wrong, and my conscience lias suffered ever since."
Early the next morning, 17th June, we heard that the (diolera had made great havoc during the night in the camp.
18C6. June. CHOLEEA IN CAMP. Uo
and that 500 persons had been attacked, most of whom had died.
When we began to move, soon after sunrise, it was obvious, from the litters which we observed borne by soldiers on all sides, that a great epidemic must have broken out amongst the troops. The King marched in front, and after we had gone on about an hour we came to a standstill, as his 3Iajesty had stopped and was waiting for something. As soon as we reached the royal body-guard, a messenger came to Aito Samuel and said that liis ]\Iajesty wished to see me. I imme- diately went to him with Lieutenant Prideaux. We found him sitting on a stone, and when he saw us he looked per- plexed and seemed at a loss what to say. He rose and asked Samuel by whose orders he had brought us. It turned out that the messenger had given Samuel a wrong message ; nevertheless, his 3Iajesty asked us to sit down. After he had inquired after our health, he told mc that in consequence of the number of sick amongst his troops, he was obliged to remain behind and see that all the sufferers were well attended to, and that I had better go on in front \Nith my European party. AVe then went on, crossed the Abai about 10 o'clock, and arrived at our halting-place, Gadiro, at IToO. The King did not arrive till four o'clock in the afternoon. He sent me no compliments, as he usually did on arriving from a journey, which seemed to me strange. At six o'clock ho summonod Aito Samuel, and, after a short time, sent him back with Wald-Gabir, with an indignant message to the effect that my companion and I had insulted him that day before all his people, by coming on without the horses which ho had presented to us. I answered, that we should not think of insulting even a servant of the King, much less his 3Iajesty. With regard to the groundless com-
126 FROM ZAG£ TO DEBRA TABOE. Chap. XVIII.
plaint, I said that liis Majesty must be aware that although he had presented me and my companions with horses and mules, yet we had never had them in our possession, and they had always been in charge of the Master of the Horse ; that we had only got them when lie chose to give them to us to ride; and that I had been informed such was his Majesty's order; how, therefore, could he say that I had insulted him by not taking the horses with us, when the King himself had told us to go on in front ?
When a great man travels in xVbyssinia, as I have already had occasion to remark, he generally rides a mule for ease, and has his richly-caparisoned horse led behind or in front of him. When the King presented my companions and myself with the horses, he sent to say that as we had no proper stable for them he would keep them for us, but we might send for them whenever we wanted them. On that occasion, when the King told us in the morning to go on in front, he himself sent for our mules, as we had to go before him on foot ; and it was he who ought to have ordered the borses to follow us. I have described this affair so minutely, because I wish to show how fickle and unreasonable Theodore was. One day he sends to say, that he could not sleep the night before, because liis late ill-treatment of me had troubled his conscience ; and the next he asks, in an angry tone, why I had insulted him, when I was all the while doing my best to gratify and to act courteously towards him.
Aito Samuel and Wald-Gabir carried my reply to the King, and, after a little reflection, his Majesty sent to say that I ought not to take the message he had sent me to heart ; that he was quite certain I would never do anything to annoy him ; that all the misunderstanding had originated witli my Baklaraba, Aito Samuel, and Balambaras Tasamma,
1866. June. THEODORE'S FICKLENESS. 127
the Ma.stor of the Horse. " Had I knoN\Ti," he concluded, " that you woukl not bo angry with me for it, I would have given them both a severe flogging." He then requested that thenceforward I should order the Master of the Hoi-se, or any other royal groom, to do what I wanted ; and that I sliould reckon them in future as my own servants. He said that the horses must always be led before us, and that I ought never to ride any saddle but the gold one which lie had given me, in order that when the Abyssinians saw me they might know at once that I was the servant of the great Queen of England, and the friend and guest of the Emperor of Ethiopia. I tlien asked the King to forgive the Master of the Horse and Aito Samuel for my sake, and he afterwards sent them to thank me for having interceded for them.
It will be seen from the foregoing that Theodore's out- bursts of affection and anger were like those of a spoilt child, or of a madman. The only way I could get on with him at all was by humouring him.
The unfortunate Master of the Horse above referred to was put into chains a few months afterwards for having lost one of the royal mules, and forwarded on to Magdala, with other Chiefs, when the King was approaching that fortress. On the 8th of April, 18G8, he was unfettered, together witli six other prisoners ; and when the attack was made on our advanced guard, on the afternoon of Good Friday, he was one of those ordered to join in it NNitli spear and shield, accom- panied by about one hundred comrades, of whom not a man returned. The poor fellow camo to see me on the 9th — the day after his release — and seemed frantic with joy tliat bis chains had been removed. Next day he was numbered amon<r the slain — the victim of the injrratitude and ambitious
128 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR. Chap. XVII I.
temerity of a master who did not hesitate to send his most loyal subjects to be slaughtered 'like sheep by an enemy against whom, he might have knoA^Ti, it was sheer frenzy in him to contend.
On the night of the 7th very few cases of cholera oc- curred in camp, the King having located his troops in Gadiro, on high ground. We left that place early on the 8th, and reached Korata after a three hours' slow ride. The King encamped with his troojDS upon marshy ground, about two miles to the south-west of Korata ; but he was gracious enough to allow mo to choose the encampment for myself and our European party. I chose a height betw een the King's position and the town, and as soon as his Majesty saw our tents pitched, he sent to say that he approved of the spot, and hoped that we might all be preserved from the pre- vailing epidemic. In returning the compliment, I sent to tell the King that I thought the place he was occupying most dangerous just then ; that we always avoided marshy ground at the healthiest of seasons, and regarded such as almost deadly during the prevalence of cholera.
Next morning, the 9th of June, the King sent to say that I was right, and that about one thousand of his soldiers and camp-followers had been attacked during the night by cholera, of ^\hom about three hundred had died already. He asked me if I could recommend a remedy. I replied that the first thing he ought to do was to leave the Lake, and go up to the mountainous country, and, if possible, to disperse the troops in different directions. He immediately followed my advice, and moved with all his camp to high ground on the north-eastern side of Korata. lie gave me the option of going with him, or of encamping in tlio old place where we had encamped before, on the Lake. I chose the latter, as the ground was
18GG. June. A PRE-ARRANGED BURIAL, 12'J
rocky, and out of the way of all nuisance. He appointed Kantiba Hailo and Agafari Golani to superintend the moving of our tents and luggage. The latter was attacked by cholera as soon as he came to our camp, and died three days after. To-day, for the first time since the 13th of April, [ was able to go about alone. I had not even Aito Samuel with me, as he had been summoned by the King to receive orders about my burial, in case I should bo seized with cholera and die while his Majesty ^\as absent. The King intended to attack some rebels who were reported to be in the neighbourhood, and expected to be away about eight or ten days ; and as he was afraid that I might die before he came back, and my remains miglit not receive proper respect, he deemed it advisable to leave the necessary instructions with Samuel and other Chiefs how I was to bo interred.
Early on the 10th the King sent for Aito Samuel and told liim that he was afraid to leave me where I was during his ubsence, as the wicked rebels might cany me off some night, and then, what answer could he give to the English ? Con- sequently, he or(lor(,'<l him to tell mo that it would be better that I should go and encamp near his Empress, where we could both bo protected by tlie soldiers. " Besides," he con- cluded, *' I want ]\Ir. Kassam to take care of the Itege and my f'hildren during my absence." The fact is, the King was alia id that while lie was away on the other side of Debra Tabor, whither he was going in pursuit of the rebels, I should take it into my head to decamp witli all the Europeans who wished to leave the coimtry. This we might easily have done, if ho had left us there where wo were, alone.
()n the 11th the King returned, having heard on the road that the rebels had been defeated by one of the Chiefs of Baga- mcnler. On his arrival he sent to tell mo that, as the cholera
VOL. II. K
130 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBEA TABOR. Chap. XVIII.
was still raging in liis camp, he had determined to follow my advice and go up to the heights of Debra Tabor, request- ing me to send at once and tell Dr. Blanc, Consul Cameron and Mr. Rosenthal to join me. Mrs. Rosenthal was to do as she liked : either remain with his European artisans or come with us. As the King was aware that Mrs. Rosenthal was ill, he offered to have her carried in a litter, if she chose to accompany us. She, of course, preferred to be with her husband, and joined us on the 12th June, as she was well enough to travel on a mule. The European artisans, with Mrs. Flad and Messrs. Steiger and Braudeis, Avere told to follow. On that day Mr. McKelvie and a number of our Abyssinian servants were attacked by cholera, but it only proved fatal to one of Consul Cameron's servants.
On the 13th, we started from Korata and reached the Gumara river in about four hours' ride. The King halted there, and directed two Rases, who commanded the right and left divisions, to disperse with their men. We heard afterwards that no sooner had the troops separated than the epidemic began to decline.
Early on the 11th, we left the Gumara river and reached Ondo at 2 p.m., after a four hours' slow ride. Here the King ordered the rear division to disperse as those had done who had been left behind the day before. To-day the King lost a number of his Chiefs from cholera, one of whom had been brought up with him from boyhood. His death made him very sad all the evening.
On the 15th of June his Majesty started very early for Debra Tabor, and it was reported that he intended to make arrangements for our reception there. On our arrival, however, we were told that the King had determined to let us spend the next three months with his European
18C0. June. THEODORE ON TAXATION. 131
artisans at Gaffat, about three miles to the north of Debra Tabor. On reaching the foot of the hill on which the royal residence was erected we saw the King descending. He sent us word that as he wished to stay at Gaffat we should accompany him thither. Accordingly, Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and I joined him and rode on with him towards that place. On the road we were overtaken by a severe hailstorm, which obliged us to halt until its fury had abated. His Majesty was accompanied by Eas I'ngada and twenty other followers. We were conducted to one of the foundries, where the King ordered a fire to be kindled to warm us and to dry our clothes, which were thoroughly drenched. Aito Samuel and Ras I'ngada were then instructed to go up to the village and select houses for our party. The King himself allotted Mr. Waldmeier's house to me, because it had a large upper room, and on Eas I'ngada sending to apprise him that the room was unfurnished, his Majesty ordered him to go up to Debra Tabor and bring carpets enough to cover the floor, and to place his own throne in it, to give it the aspect of a royal residence. In the mean time the King conversed with me, through my yoimg interpreter, Dasta, on different topics, sometimes in Arabic and sometimes in Tigrean. His IMajosty dwelt particularly upon the system of taxation in England, and laughed heartily when I informed him how the income-tax was levied and realized. " The people of my country," he said, " would sooner bury their money in the ground than trade with it or pay mo a percentage out of it." When I told him of the tax on horses and male servants, he re- marked : " Mr. Rassam, you do not know the Abyssinians. AVere I to tax their mules, horses and domestics, not one of them would ride, and every man would become his own
K 2
132 FEOM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOE. Chap. XVIIL
servant." As the cholera Avas raging, and the weather was damp, I generally carried a little brandy iu a flask, and' feeling somewhat chilly at the time I thought a few drops of the stimulant would not be amiss. Sitting, however, as I was, on a plank by the side of the King, I judged that it; would be only polite to offei- him a little. To my great sur- prise, he drank off what I poured out for him. I discovered afterwards that I had been guilty of two breaches of Abys- sinian etiquette in this matter ; for, in the first place, I had partaken of tlie brandy from the same vessel, which I ought not to have done, because the Sovereign may not drink from the same cup which any one else hos used in his presence ; and, secondly, instead of passing him the cup with both hands I presented it to him with my right hand only — the sign of a superior giving anything to an inferior. However, as the King doubtless knew that I erred in such matters through ignorance of native customs, he took no notice of these mistakes.
When Messrs. Cameron and Stern arrived from Debra Tabor they liad to come to the inclosure of the foundry, and' as they passed the door, I asked the King to allow them to dry their clothes, hoping that he might invite them to join us ; but he refused, and ordered a fire to be kindled for them outside. On this occasion he was extremely civil to the members of the IMission : for more tlian two hours he was quite alone with lis, and at last he became so gracious that he told my inter* preter to cover himself and sit near the fire, as it was cold. When he heard that lias I'ngadu liad arrived with the carpets, he went up to Mr. Waldmeier's house and assisted personally in carpeting my room and placing the throne at the back of it. This done, he returned to Debra Tabor to give orders for the remaining front division of the army to
ISGO. June. OUR LOCATION AT GAfFAT. 133
disperse. The King was now left with only a few followers. He even dispensed with more than half of his household establishment. From the 13th of xVpril, the King had never intermitted sending rations for my party. Aito Samuel had the charge of everything, and kept open house on my behalf.
llt/i. — Early tliis morning his Majesty sent me a large glass bottle containing about three gallons of very old and clear mead, which ho requested me to drink for his sake. He was aware, he said, that I was not partial to such beverages, nevertheless as the mead was coeval with his reign he wished me to try it, and to give my opinion of its quality. I drank a little to gratify him, and found it mnch superior to any liquor I had hitherto tasted in the country. It was as clear as hock, with a flavour of Grave. At 10 to-day the Rev. Mr. Stern celebrated Divine Service in my room, in front of tlie empty throne, and I could not help contrasting at the time the vanity of the one ^^ith the solemnity of the worshij) in which we were engaged. In the afternoon the European artisans whom we liad left at Korata reached Gaff'at, and on their way had visited the King at Debra Tabor. His Majesty informed them tliat lie had placed mo and my party in some of their dwellings, and further expressed his hope that we should enjoy each other's society during the winter; by which he meant that we ■were to live together. They replied that they would prefer tents to lodging with our party, as they objected to several Europeans who had been consigned over to me by the King; but as they did not wish to make any invidious distinctions, they begged to be allowed t<> dcclini! living with us. Before I left Korata, botli ^Ir. Waldnu-icr and Mr. Moritz Hall had kindly dfTcred nic the use of tlu-ir
13J: FROM ZAGE TO DEBRA TABOR. Chai-. XVIII.
houses during the Aviuter; and when we reached Gaifat, on hearing that the King had made up his mind to locate us in the residences of his European artisans, I told Samuel of this offer, and suggested that if the King knew of it he w^ould probably allow me to avail myself of one of the two houses. Samuel, however, judged it advisable that I should say nothing on the subject, as the King might be offended with the artisans for taking it upon themselves to allot their dwellings to whom they pleased, seeing that they themselves were merely tenants at the will of his Majesty. Their answer, it appears, vexed the Kiug, as he came early next morning and removed me to the large foundry, not wishing it to be supposed that he wanted to force the British Mission on any one. He left the rest of my party, however, iii theu* different abodes. The King swept the room himself, and he and M. Bardel carried the dust in their hands, and threw it out of the window. He then had the walls covered with cloth to hide the dirt, and, after carpeting the floor, placed his throne in the apartment.
19th. — Early this morning his Majesty paid me a visit at the foundry, and told me that ho could not sleep last night from thinking that I was uncomfortable. While with me, he sat on the throne, on my invitation, and as it was about four feet high I had to set one of my camp folding- stools to enable him to take his seat there. He went up all right, but on descending he placed his foot on an angle of the stool instead of the centre, and had I not rushed and held it firndy he would certainly have come down head foremost, and there was probably not an Abyssinian in the country, himself included, who would not have attributed the mishap to design on my part. I never saw a man so astonished as the Kiug when I ran and laid hold of the
18GG. Jl-xe. our quarters CHANGED. 135
stool. However., on learning the cause, he was much pleased with my attention.
As the King wished to have all my European party to be near me, he said he would select proper houses for us to live in, until new ones could be budt for us. He then went to the quarters of the native artisans, below the European village of Gaffat, and, after fixing ujjon the house that I was to occupy, he ordered that all the houses in its immediate vicinity should be vacated for the use of my companions and their fellow-Europeans. The Kantiba and two other officers were ordered to have my room properly furnished, and the walls covered with cloth. He directed, also, that the throne sliould be placed as usual in my house ; but this I induced him to dis^jense with, on the i)lea that the room was too small. In the afternoon we moved to our respective abodes, seven in number, and in addition to these a few extra huts were allowed for our servants. Mr. Stern had to live in a tent, as no good house could be foimd for him near us. Mr. Flad and Messrs. Steiger, Brandeis, Schiller and Essler were permitted to occupy their old dwellings on an adjacent hill.
IQth. — Tlie King came early this morning to the second foundry at Gaffat to inquire about some work then in pro- gress. On hearing of his arrival we put on our uniforms, in order to be in readiness to attend him, in case he desired our presence. As he did not, but merely sent his compli- ments, 1 dispatched a messenger to ask whether he would allow me and my com})anions to pay our respects to him. The foundry was not above fifty yards from our huts, and on his Majesty sending a reply to my message in the allirma- tivo, wo repaired to his presence. On reaching the inclosure of th<' foundrv, mc noticed all the courtiers standing in a
136 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR. Chap. XVIIT.
very gloomy mood, wliicli augured uufavouraLly for our reception. We found the King busily engaged in giving angry orders to his European workmen, and looking quite black in the face with suppressed ill-humour. Without asking after our health, as was his wont, he looked straight at me, and said, " Is it not a great shame that I should put you in that dirty and inconvenient house, where you must be very unhappy ?" I answered promptly, "Pray don't say so ; for I feel that I have one of the best houses in Abyssinia, and, through your kindness, it has been so nicely decorated and carpeted by your servants that it is quite impossible to make it more comfortable." "Are you in jest or earnest?" he rejoined. "If your Majesty will deign to come and see it," I replied, " you will be convinced that I am in earnest, for you yourself will at once admit that it is most com- fortable, fit even for the residence of a King." " Very well ; I will come with you when I have finished with my people here," was his answer. Thereupon the frown on his counte- nance began to relax, and when he entered my dwelling, about half an hour afterwards, he was comparatively cheerful. He admired the way I had arranged my three muskets round one of the wooden pillars of the room, with the shield and spear whicli he had given me above them, and the gold saddle in front. I also took care to spread the Itege's Mdrgaf with which he had presented me over the table in the centre of my room. I offered him some Hennessy's brandy, which he drank, witliout asking any one to taste it first in order to prove tliat it was not poisoned. This he did, as he stated, to show his people how much lie trusted me, and the great respect lie entertained for my Queen and her Government, which ho (lid l>y sitting in their house — for such he considered it — and enjoying himself there. He then
18G6. June. THEODORE'S ALEXANDRIAN DESCENT. 137
spent half an hour talking of the love which he had for the English, asserting more than once that he had conceived that rejrard from childhood.
2l8t. — The King came down again to the factory this morning, and on receiving his permission to that effect wo paid him another visit. He was in excellent humour, and seemed highly pleased with my attention in having sent an easy chair, covered with red cloth, for his accommodation, which I begged him to occupy while superintending the European workmen. At this time he Avas busily engaged in making small gun-carriages, to be borne by mules, for his projected expedition against the rebels of Lasta, whom he intended to bring to accomit during the winter. He related the story of Diogenes and his tub, and asked me whether I thought the cynic was mad or merely eccentric. He then went far beyond my depth into the history of Europe, and told me that he was descended from one of its greatest kings, as well as from Solomon by the Queen of Sheba. On my seeking information from him on that point, he proceeded to narrate Ikjw an Abyssinian princess had visited Alexander the Great, just as Balkis did Solomon, and after staying with him some time she gave birtli to a child who, when he grew up, governed more than half the world. He then told me that Alexander the Great was held in the highest reverence by the Abyssinians, as being the only person who had visited Paradise during his lifetinio. On expressing my wonder how this could possibly be, he directed Ivantiba Hailo to go and fetch tho book wherein this astonnding fact was recorded, in order that I might be assured of that great man having really gone to Paradise and returned again to t-arth. Kantiba llailo, who believed in these legends as fully as he believed in the revelations of the Bible, brought the
13S FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR. Chap. XVIII,
book referred to, and was directed by the King to explain the pictures to me — it contained about thirty. He did so, as he sat by my side, and began describing their import to me one by one, through Samueh Anything more absurd can liardly be conceived. If I reHiember aright, the first picture represented the Empress Helena iu the act of praying that God would bless her with a male child. Her petition is heard, and Alexander the Great is born into the world. While yet a child, he prays to have a sight of Paradise; whereupon countless angels are employed in making pre- parations for his trip. He is then transported up to Heaven, where he is permitted to walk about and enjoy its delectable sights. Finally, he is brought back to earth, where dominion is given to him over all the sons of Noah. When the exposi- tion of the picture-gallery came to an end, the King asked me how I liked the history of Alexander the Great. I replied, " To tell the truth, your Majesty, I think Alexander was wise in wishing to obtain admittance into Paradise ; but I think he was a fool for returning to earth again. Had I been in his place, once permitted to enter that delightful abode, I should certainly have remained there." When this answer was translated to him, he burst into a fit of laughter, and nearly fell from the easy chair ; then turning to me, after his merriment had somewhat subsided, he said, "Do you imagine that I believe in this trash?" I replied, "No, your Majesty ; I am sure you have more sense." Poor Kantiba Hailo, M ho heartily credited the stupid fable, was struck speechless at such incredulity, but looked round upon the grinning spectators with a countenance which seemed to say, " How I pity your infidelity!" After spending two hours with the King, we Avere permitted to return to our respective abodes ; his- Majesty also went bade to Debra Tabor.
18GC. Jt-NE. THEODORE AND THE BIBLE. 13»
22nd. — We had another interview with the King under circumstances similar to those of yesterday. He was again in good spii-its, and it was certainly very pleasant to meet him when in that mood. After he had finished his work I asked leave to retire, but he insisted on escorting me to my dwelling. On reaching the hut I begged him to sit a few minutes with me, to which he readily assented. He honoured me again by drinking a few drops of brandy from a tumbler ; — on the former occasion he had used the metal cup attached to the flask. He was also gracious enough to allow some of the bystanders to taste the liquor, saying that it was useful in time of cholera, and that the weather was cold. On enter- ing the room he sighed, an<l said how much he wished he could visit the English Queen and her Council, and see all the wonders of England. " However," he concluded, " I fear there is no chance of that, although I feel while in your presence as if I were beholding your masters." Seeing an English book on my table, he took it up and asked if it were the liibh.'. On my answering in the negative, he remarked, " Handling this book reminds me of the Bible, which Eng- land has been good enough to print and circulate amongst us;" then, looking up, he added: "Oh God! how can we Abyssinians forget the English wlio have given us so many thousand l^ibles." Next, turning to mc, he said : " I assure you, j\Ir. Kassiim, that before your people printed the Bible for us, wo had scarcely four complete copies of the sacred volumf in all tlio churches; and now every village in the countrj' can boast of having one or more. But wo Abys- sinians are an ungrateful people, and do not deserve such favours." After half an hour spent on tliese and other topics the King returned to Debra Tabor, but before leaving he directed the men who were engaged in erecting a new fence
140 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOrt. Chap. XYIIT.
round the Mission-huts to hasten on the work, in order that our privacy might be respected, and that we should not be annoyed by beggars during the day or by hyteuas during the night.
At this time we had no guard at all, and were allowed to do as we pleased ; even our horses and mules were sent to us -to keep, and I certainly did believe then that mo were going to spend the winter in peace ; but I was soon disappointed.
On Saturday, the 23rd of June, the King did not come to the foimdry, but the following day he sent for his European artisans, and had a private consultation with them ; what about, we could never learn. It was reported to me, how- ever, that his Majesty was not in the best of moods and had expressed a wish to have me and my fellow-captives near him, and that he had spoken of having huts built for us at Debra Tabor.
At dawn on the 25th the King sent one of his domestic servants, named Paul, to inquire after the health of myself and party, and the man would not leave until he had satisfied himself that every European was in his room. As usual, I sent Samuel and one of my interpreters to reciprocate the compli- ment. They returned instantly, and said that the King had intimated to them that he intended to hold a court that morning, and wished me to attend with my companions. Consul Cameron, the Missionaries, and any other " gentle- man " I had \\ itli me. The message was, " Be quick." Two days previously, 1 had heard that a rebel Chief had been brought a prisoner to Debra Tabor, and I concluded that he was to be tried before us that morning. However, in the course of half an hour, my fellow-ofiicials, Messrs. Stem and Rosenthal and I ^\ere ready to start, and as Mr. Eerans came within the category of "gentleman," he also accom-
ISCG. June. THE AUTHOPw RE-ARRATGXED. lU
panied us on our doubtful visit. On passing the houses of tlie European artisans, they joined us ^vith Kantiba Hailo. and went on with us to Debra Tabor. On ascending the hill on which the royal residence Avas built, I was surprised to find that only the Afa-Negus (]Mouth of the King) came out of the inclosure, with 31. Bardel, to meet us. We were taken to a large black tent made of goats' hair, generally occupied on a journey by the Itege, which we found car- peted, but no one was in it. We were told by the Afa- Negus to take a seat until the pleasure of the King was known. Affairs now looked rather threatening ; consequently, Avhile the British officials and the Missionaries sat on the right side of the tent, the artisans took care to sit as far as possible on the other; and as Messrs. Steiger and Brandeis also desired to show that they did not belong to the English party, they went and sat with the artisans.
As soon as our arrival was communicated to the King, he summoned the- European artisans. Messrs. Steiger and Brandeis also rose to follow, but Aito Samuel told them that as they belonged to our party they must remain. The dis- pute was soon settled, however, by the King, who, finding that those two gentlemen preferred the company of his European artisans to ours, directed that thenceforward they should be reckoned with them. In about ten minutes the European artisans returned, with Kantiba Hailo and other Chiefs, with a message from the King to the effect, that a railroad had been laid down between Egypt and Casala for the passage of English, French and Turkish troops, with a view to the invasion of Abyssinia, and his Majesty wished to know why I had not reported the fact to him on my arrival, .i-< I must have seen the railroad when I passed through (a-sala. He said, *' Is this the friendship which you profess
142 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOE. Chap. XVIIL
to have for me ? " I replied, that there could he no founda- tion for the rumour, because A\lien I passed through Casala, nine months before, no such scheme was thought of. I tried all in my power to dissuade liim from believing such reports, which I said were invented by wicked people for mischievous ends. •
The second message was, that he had heard from Jerusalem of my having been sent to him by the British Government on false pretences, in order that I might obtain the release of the European captives ; and that after we were safe out of the country, England would send troops to avenge the insult offered to her by the imprisonment of her Consul. The King asked, " Is this true or not ? " I replied that this report from Jerusalem was false and villanous. Aito Samuel, Mho acted then as interpreter to the royal delegates, translated my words thus : — " Whoever invented that report is a liar and a villain." M. Bardcl, on hearing these words, interposed, and said to his fellow delegates that I had not used the words *'liar and villain." As the dispute was referred to me, I replied that I had not actually used the words "liar and villain," still what I had said was tantamount, as false and villanous reports were only invented by liars and villains, and that the delegates might take the words used by Samuel to the King. After this his Majesty sent to say that I ought not to misunderstand him, because he had never changed his friendly feeling towards me, nor ftiiled to place implicit con- fidence in me ; but that my Government was not behaving well towards him, and tliat he considered it no fault of mine if my Government chose to act insincerely, after sending me to him. I replied that my Government was not in the habit of deceiving any one, and if the King would only trust it, it would be to his advantage. The commissioners came back
186G. Juke. THE AUTHOR'S SURETISHIP. 143
to repeat the charges against Consul Cameron and 3Ir. liosenthal, the former for returning to Abyssinia without an answer to the letter he had sent by him ; and the latter for having -written that the British Government had laughed at him.
On this occasion I had to make the King understand that the " Clerks " of the Foreign Office were not the Government. M. Bardel bore me out on that point. When this was settled, the King sent to ask me if I was still security for Mr. Stern and others; and whether I would continue to keep to my old engagement. I certainly then began to fear that Mr. Stern had written to his friends in England complaining of our ill-treatment by the King, and that his Majesty had seized the letter. Whereupon I begged to be told at once if any of my party had done anything to displease the King since I became security for them, inasmuch as I conceived it was fully understood that I was responsible for all their acts from that time.
The King sent to say he had always distrusted Mr. Stern, as he knew he hated and abused him ; on tliat acconnt he wanted to bo doubly sure that I had not witlidrawn my security for him. " Seeing that you still hold yourself responsible for him and the others," liis Majesty concluded, " let it be so, and you can all remain together as before ; but I cannot let you henceforth live far from mo, not knowing what your Government intends to do. You shall always live near me, and I will keep a good look-out upon you until Mr. Flad's return."
I was told afterwards that the King liad hoped I would refuse to keep to my old ongagcmont, in order that he might feel at liberty to cliaiu tlio old Magdala prisoners, including Consul Cameron.
141 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR. Chap. XVIIL
I had great suspicion on that day that the statement made by the King of his having heard from Jerusalem that I had been sent by her Majesty's Government on false pretences "was a trumped-up story, and that the letter which the Greek priest had brought from his Bishop in Jerusalem merely con- tained a request for a donation to build a refuge for poor strangers visiting the Holy Land. I was at Massowah when the priest arrived there, as has already been stated, and an Armenian merchant who w^as intimate with him informed me of the object of his visit to Abyssinia, before he left Massowah, in the beginning of 1865. On reaching Adwa, he was de- tained by Dajjaj Dakla-Guargis, the then Governor-General of Tigre, who had orders from the King, after the incarcera- tion of Consul Cameron, to detain every European who might go up to Abyssinia without the royal sanction. When the Wakshum Gabaze took possession of Tigre, in May, 1866, the priest obtained his liberty, and went up with his letter^ w^hich he had had in his possession more than a year. Kan- tiba Hailo, who Avas subsequently sent as a prisoner to Magdala, informed me, in conjunction with others, that there was no foundation for the report alleged by the King to have reached him from Jerusalem.
I am convinced that the King had then heard of Dr. Beke's return to England, after his promise to visit him, even though the captives were released. The King had written to him that lie was to remain at Massowah until he should inform him what route to take. Although Dr. Beke had then left for Europe, yet the King's reply showed that he did not wish him to leave before he had seen him. Dr. Beke had also written to tell the King that he was imprisoned by the rebels, and asked him to send and liave him liberated. The King forthwith wrote to the Tigre Chiefs, and told them to have
18GG. JcN-E. AFTER THE TRIAL. 145
Dr, Beke released and sent down to Massowali. When the royal letter reached them, the supposed prisoner was nowhere to be found. He had returned to his country.
There is another fact which strengthens my belief that, at the time of our second disgrace, the King had heard of Dr. Beke's abrupt departure for England — namely, Messrs. Kerans and McKelvie, two Irishmen, had volunteered to enter the King's employ when Mr. Flad left for England. Their ser- vices had been accepted, but their engagement was postponed from day to day until the end of June, two months after Mr. Flad's departure, when Mr. McKelvie was allowed to remain behind, and Mr. Kerans, who was one of those men- tion cd in the petition sent by Dr. Beke, was ordered to accompany us to Magdala.
When the trial was over, the King gave me permission to send to Gafifat for whatever I required for myself and party ; and as ^hs. Waldmeier was dangerously ill, and Dr. Blanc was attending her, I asked his Majesty to allow him to go and see her for an hour or two ; this he acceded to. Towards evening, Mr. Waldmeier returned to Debra Tabor to ask the Iving to permit Dr. Blanc to remain with his wife two or three days, as she was ill, and required medical attendance hourly. The King replied, "What! is Dr. Blanc ray servant? Ho was sent to me by the Queen of l^^ngland with Mr. Rassam, and Mr. Rassam is tiie proper person to ask." His Majesty then sent to say that I was to do as I pleased. Accordingly, it was decided that Dr. Blanc should remain at GafFat with Mrs. Waldmeier, until she recovered.
When the King told me that I might send to GafTat for \vhatever I wanted, he also directed that any of my party
light pitch a tent to live in. Mr. Stern accordingly had his 'aought with that object, and at my request Samuel indicated
VOL. II. L
14G FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOE. Chap. XVIII.
a spot near our black tent where it might be pitched, advising me, however, at the same time, as Mr. Stern's friend, not to let him be separated from me, as he was only safe in my company. He then went on to say, "You remember, Mi*. Eassam, that on your first arrival in Abyssinia I enjoined you not to be too intimate either with Mr. Stern or with any of his fellow-captives, for, as I wished you to succeed and to leave the country, I thought it best at that time that the King should not tliink that you took part with his enemies. Since his Majesty, however, has chosen to treat you so badly, you will do well to stand by all the late captives, for they will only be safe while in your company. You are all now in the same predicament, and must either stand or fall together." I may here remark that at this same juncture I was being warned by several Europeans to keep aloof from Mr. Stem as much as possible, in order to avoid getting into trouble witli Theodore on his account. However, having determined, as I said before, to take my chance with the rest, and to die rather than incur the remorse of having saved my own life at the sacrifice of theirs, I asked Mr. Stern to remain with me in the black tent. I adduce this as another instance of the very false impression which many have entertained respecting Samuel. The man stuck to our cause unflinchingly, when we got into difficulty, and I owe it to him to state, that he never said an unkind word to me against any of my fellow-captives. On the evening of the 25th I deemed it advisable to send and tell the King, by Aito Samuel, ho^\ unwise and unfriendly it was of him to treat me and the Europeans who were with me so rudely, while I was trying my best to befriend and act honestly towards him. I said that our Government would be quite puzzled on hearing of his unjustifiable ill-treatment of us, A\hen perha2)s they Avere making every
A
1800. JcNK. THEODORE'S WILFULNESS. 147
effort to gratify liim. I warned hiin against the machinations of evil-doers, Avho were trying all they could to increase his troubles and misfortunes. I told him that he had still time to retrace his steps and show his friendship by trusting us. The only answer I could obtain from him was, " My friend, I believe in you ; but there are customs in every country which only the natives of the place understand. You are a foreigner, and know not our rules, nor could you understand why I have acted in this way towards you. You follow your way and I mine, and you will see if I am not right in the end." When Samuel tried to persuade him that I was his true friend, and that he ought to listen to my advice, he said, " Aito Samuel, have you sold yourself like a slave to the English? You are an ass; I want you only to hold your tongue; go and deliver my message to Mr. Rassam."
Next day I obtained permission for Mr. Rosenthal to join his wife. In giving him leave, the King ordered Wald-Gabir and Aito Samuel to tell me that I need not take the trouble of sending to ask him about everything: I was only to give the order and it would be obeyed. " With regard to your asking me for permission to allow Mr. Rosenthal to go to Gaffat," the King said, " have I not given you all the EurDpcans to do as you like with ? And, besides, are you a })risuner that you should remain in your tent day and night? If y(ju want to jjlcasc mo, go out when you like; and you ought to go down to Guffat and sec your friends ; because, if you stay and mope, you will fall ill, and then what shall I, your friend, do? Sliall I not bo ill too?" Ho then sent an ordi.-r to the Master of the Horse to let us have our mules and horses whenever we wanted them.
After tlie above courteous message we felt somewhat hap- I)iur for a time, with the privilege also of taking a little
L 2
148 FROM ZAGfi TO DEBRA TABOR. Chap. XVIII.
exercise ; and, in accordance with the King's desire, I visited C4aftat the next day, the 27th of June. I had no guard, but Aito Samuel accompanied mo, with the Master of the Horse, as far as the viUage, and then left me. Thenceforward we were able to go about as we pleased.
The King had business in the foundry at Gafiat, and used to go down almost every day to see his artisans at work. "Whenever he went there he sent me his compliments ; and on his return he communicated his arrival to me, with a courteous message that through my prayers and good wishes he had readied home safely. Once, he brought four lions which were at Debra Tabor for me to look at, and directed their keepers to let them loose, in order that I might see how tame they were. They ran about after cattle and mules in the plain below for a long time, and, at a signal from the King, their keepers called them back and conveyed them to their dens. That day he sent me 500 dollars more of the money he had taken from me.
On another occasion he invited me to witness the trial of a rebel Chief and his two associates, who had been seized and brought before him from AVadala, as ho wanted to prove to me wliat bad subjects he had. Three different witnesses gave their evidence in a calm, straightforward manner, unbiassed apparently by any ill-will towards the accused. The latter, on Ijcing asked in a quiet tone by the Iving what they had to urge in self-defence, admitted their guilt, pleading that they had been misled by the devil, and begged his Majesty to forgive them. The King then remarked that Satan was atrociously bad, and must not be encouraged, and that in accordance with th(^ Frtijli-Negiist they must suffer death, but that he would have them executed in a respectable manner, and then buried. They were taken to the market-
1860. June. EXECUTIOX OF KEBELS. 149
place, and there shot dead, and after the bodies were exposed for an hour or two, as a warnino; to others, they were interred in ditches made to receive them whore they lay. After these rebel Chiefs had been led away, their wives were brought forward, stripped to the waist, in accordance with Abyssinian usage when women fall into disgrace. The King ordered them at once to be covered, and on learning that the only crime they were charged with was that they were the wives of the condemned rebels, he told the soldiers that it was a pity they had been at so much trouble with regard to them, as it was no fault of theirs that they had bad husbands. He then directed the women to be supplied with food and cloth- ing, and told them that they were at liberty to go where they pleased. It was fortunate for these poor females that his Majesty was not in one of his savage humours, otherwise the probability is they would have been adjudged to share tlie fate of their husbands.
IDO FEOM DEBRA TABOR TO MAGDALA. Chap. XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
FROM DEBKA TABOR TO MAGDALA.
"We are to be sent to Magdala — Theodore clianges his plan — Another out- burst of royal courtesy — The Author arraigned again — We are confined and guarded in the Treasury — A visit from Theodore — We drink healths all round — The King believes he is mad — The titles "Geta" and " Aito " — Order to set out with the King to ]\Iagdala — Hailstones on Mount Guna — We are sent forward to Magdala under a guard — Arrival at that fortress — We are placed in fetters — The Author's message to Theodore on the occasion — The pi-eliminary location of the Captives — Kindness of the Cliiefs — Aito Samuel's services.
The King had been intending for some time to go towards ]\ragdala, to punish the rebels of Lasta and the adjacent dis- tricts. On the 28tli he sent me a message by I'ngada Wark and Paul (Samuel having been in disgrace since the message I sent by him on the 25th) to say, that he intended to go on a war expedition in the course of three or four days ; and that as he did not want to weary us by taking us about with him in the rains, he had resolved upon sending me and my party to Magdala, there to spend the winter ; and he wished to know if I had any objection to the arrangement. I replied, that his Majesty was bettor able to judge of tlie salubrity of the different places in Abyssinia than I, and Unit I was ready to go wherever lie wislied me to be during the rainy season. The King then asked whetlier I had mules enough to carry my luggage and tliat of my party, or whether I required him to transport it for us. I said tiiat we had not mules enough, but that if his Majesty would allow us we could
186G. July. EOYAL COURTESY. 151
buy more. It was settled, at last, that he was to have it carried for us ; and, accordingly, on the 1st of July, he sent all our heavy baggage by some soldiers who were leaving for Magdala A\'ith Ras I'ngada, and Samuel was sent in charge of it. After the luggage had been carried a day's journey towards Magdala, the King ordered it to be brought back, as he had changed his mind, and had resolved to let us remain at Gafifat for the winter. It was brought back to Debra Tabor on the 3rd, by Aito Samuel, and was left in our tents outside the royal inclosm-e.
About noon on the ord, the King, as he was wont, sent me a message to say that, with my permission, he was going down to Gaffat. He asked my interpreter why I remained so much in my tent and so seldom went out. He ordered him to tell me that, if I wished to please him, I must go about oftener, either on foot or on horseback, whichever I preferred, and that I must send to him for anything I wanted. " And you, Dasta," the King added to the interpreter, " mind, I hold you responsible if I should hear that your master has been in want of anything, and you fail to inform me of it. If he requires anything, you must come to me, even at mid- night." On the interpreter asking how he could communi- cate with his Majesty at that hour, the King sent for a page and told him that if Dasta went to him at night with any message from me he was to communicate it. The page replied, that the eunuchs would prevent him from approaching the place wliere the King was sleeping. On this demur, the eunuchs in attendance were summoned, and orders were given to tliem that, if a page went to his Majesty with a message from me, lie was to deliver it at once ; and that if the King was asleep, he was to be awakened ; so that if I wanted any- thing at night, my message would have had to go through
152 FllO^iI DEBllA TABOE TO MAGDALA. Chap. XIX.
the interpreter, the page, and the eunuclis. The King kept poor Mr. Zander and Kantiba Hailo, with a hirge party of followers, waiting for nearly half-an-hour below the hill of Debra Tabor to settle that new arrangement of his, which he knew well enough was never to be carried into effect.
The King returned from Gaffat at about 3 P.M., but, instead of the usual civil message, Samuel came running to say that the King wanted to see me, and that I must take the gentle- men who were in my tent with me. I immediately went, accompanied by Lieutenant Prideaux, Consul Cameron and Mr. Stern. I wondered what could have taken place after the polite message which had been sent to me only two hours before. My surprise may be imagined when I found Dr. Blanc standing in front of his Majesty like a criminal, and when, a few minutes afterwards, Mr. Eosenthal was brought in by a number of soldiers. The King looked as if he had gone mad, and the first thing he said to me was, that I hated him. On inquiring M'hat had occurred to make him say so, he said that he had four charges against me : firsts that I hud read Mr. Stern's book — ' Wanderings among the Falashas;' secondly, that he had given Consul Cameron a letter for my Queen, and that he had returned to Abyssinia without an answer ; thirdly, that I had tried to send away the jMagdala captives from Abyssinia without taking them to him; and, fourthly, that the Turks had possession of Jeru- salem, and that England and France allowed them to keep it. He demanded his patrimony, on the ground that the Holy City had formerly belonged to Kings David and Solomon, his forefathers, and said, " I want Europe to restore to mc the Holy Land." The first two ccmiplaiiits I took no notice of and only answered the third and fourth. With regard to the former, I denied having tried to talce the I^Tdgdala prisoners
18GG. July. A BLACKHOLE. 153
out of Abyssinia without a proper reconciliation, his jMajesty having forgiven them on several occasions ; that when they left Korata they did so with his sanction, and that he sent one of his courtiers, Lij Abitu, to escort them. Lij Abitu was called again on this occasion to give evidence ; and when the King was satisfied that everything had been done accord- ing to rule, he dismissed him. With reference to Jerusalem, I said that the European Powers were not given to interfere in such matters.
He then said to me abruptly, "Are you not aware that India and half the world belong to me?" I replied, that I had not found it so stated in the books which I had read. He next turned and discussed the point with 3Ir. Stern. (The idea that India and half the world belonged to Theo- dore originated in the tradition that the Emperors of Abys- sinia are the descendants of Alexander the Great, as well as of Solomon. This legend has already been noted in the foregoing pages.)
Aito Samuel looked very downcast during this farce; so the King spoke to him sharply, and said, "Why are you sulky ? Is it because I am arguing with your friend ? Sup- pose I put him in chains, what will you say to that?" Samuel answered, " AVhat is that to me? Mr. Rassam is your jMajcsty's guest, not mine."
The Afa-Negus was then called, and the King asked him whether he could watch us better in a tent or in a room. As this functionary knew his master's mind, he said a room would be preferable. Thereupon the King ordered us to be taken into the Treasury and guarded very strictly. The room was so dark that we had to light candles, even in l)ro;i(l daylight, to enable us to see one another. My party, con- sisting of Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux, Consul Cameron,
154 FROM DEBRA TAEOll TO MAGDALA. Cum'. XIX.
Messrs. Stern and Kosenthal and myself, were placed in a small circular room not more than twelve feet in diameter ; and as a guard of fifteen men was ordered to -watch us inside during the night, we should have been in a sad plight had not the King relented in the course of the evening and ordered the guard out of our room. Mr. Kerans was brought in afterwards, but Signer Pietro was alloAved to remain in liis own tent outside. Mr. Macraire had already entered the King's service and was at Gafiat with the European artisans.
Soon after dark, the King sent to know how we all were, and hoped that I should sleep well. I replied that we were very much obliged to his Majesty for his kind inquiry, and that we were well ; but that if our Government or myself had known how the Mission would have been treated, we should certainly not have paid him a visit. " To speak the truth," I continued, " it is our fault for not having believed what wo heard before leaving Massowah ; but we could not credit what his Majesty's enemies said against him. They will rejoice at what has taken place, and I have no doubt they will spread the report all over the world." The only answer I obtained from the King to this was, " Never mind your Government and my enemies, my friend. Your masters have already decided upon their treatment of me ; and my foes would spread evil reports against me, even if I were to carry you on my head. I have only to see that you are happy, and that your heart is not vexed." I replied that I had done my best to maintain friendship between my Govern- ment and his Majesty, but that henceforward I should wash my hands of all responsibility, and his Majesty would only have himself to blame for the wrath of my Queen and her Govern- ment. To this the King sent the following answer: "God
18GG. July. THEODORE IS JOLLY. 155
be my witness, my brother and friend, that after to-day I shall not hold you responsible for the future action of your Government. I only want you to be happy, and as I hear from my attendants that you are not so, I must come and cheer you up ; I only await your permission to do so." I sent and begged his ^lajesty not to trouble himself to come and see us. He replied that he could not go to bed without coming to comfort me. " How could I go to sleep," he said, " knowing that you are unhappy, my friend ? I will not listen to you, especially after I have refused the entreaty of the Itege, who said that I ought to postpone my visit to you until the morning."
Immediately after the last message, the King made his appearance with a horn of arrack (spirits made of mead) slung over his shoulder, and a bundle of wax candles in his right hand to light in our prison, to make it look cheerful. One of his servants also carried a jar of ttj (mead) behind him. On coming in and seeing a part of the guard with us, he turned them out, and asked how they dared come so near us. As soon as he sat down, he poured some arrack into a tumbler and gave it to me, saying, " I know you do not usually drink, but I feel sure that you will not refuse to drink with me on this occasion, to make me feel happy." After we had drunk to each other's health, he ordered the arrack to be circulated to all my party, and he himself filled the glasses and handed them over to my comjianions. Dr. Blauc and Lieutenant I'ridoaux. He then looked towards j\[r. Stern, who was standing with Mr. Rosenthal against the wall, and said to the furnuT '"How arc you, Aito Kokab? Why are you standing in sueh a disconsolate mood and do not sit down ? " After this, his Majesty said to me laugh- ingly, "Comfort Mr. Stern, an<l tell him not to moan." He
156 FROM DEBRA TABOR TO mAgDALA. Chap. XIX..
then addressed me as follows : — " Do not regard my foce, but trust to my heart, because I really love yon. I wonld not say so before my people who are standing by if I did not mean it. It is true that I behaved ill to you this afternoon, but I have an object in what I do. I was obliged to put on a serious face on account of the bystanders, but I never meant to be angry with yon. I used to lioar that I was called a madman by my people for my acts, but I never believed it ; now, however, after my conduct towards you this afternoon, I have come to the conclusion that I really am so ; but," he concluded, " as Christians, we ought always to be ready to forgive each other."
After this display of royal affection the King left; but before going he gave orders that none of the guard were to be allowed to enter the Treasury — all must remain out- side. While we were l)oth standing at the door with Aito Samuel and my young interpreter, Dasta, the King said to me, " Mr. Rassani, henceforward Dasta shall be my child, and Samuel yours; good-bye." After this I never spoke to him again until he and I met at Magdahi, on the 29th March, 1868 — an interval of nearly one year and nine months.
The day Dr. Blanc and Mr. Kosenthal were arrested, it was reported that the King had received a letter from Tigre, on his way to Gaffat; that its contents appeared to make liim very angry ; and that this was the reason lie Iiad acted so unbecomingly towards us all. My opinion is, tliat the arrest of Dr. Blanc and Mr. Kosenthal was not premeditated — that the order was given on the spur of the moment. Something had evidently disturl»od the King's mind, for when a beggar on Ihe road asked him for alms, and said that formerly the Juu-opean "Getotsli" Iiad supported him, the King ordered
180G. July. "G£TA"' AND "ATTO." lo7
liim to be beaten to death for having applied the word *'Getotsh"to his European slaves. He had always objected to this title being given to any one but himself, saying that Kings only ought to be called Lords. His Majesty was then at the height of his fury, and seeing Mr. Kosenthal, ■whom he hated, standing by, he abused him and had him arrested. Dr. Blanc being present came in for his share of the royal displeasure, which vented itself also on a number of the Euro- pean artisans. Having gone so far, he thought he might go a little further by having them conducted to Debra Tabor, to make another display there.
I interrupt the narrative here to explain the import of the word "Geta" (plural, Getotsh), and also of "Aito," another title which frequently occurs in these pages. Geta * means master, or lord ; Aito is equivalent to our mister, or sir. Formerly, neither was applied to any but Abyssinian noblemen, but within the last century both have become common, and foreigners as well as respectable natives, such as merchants and others, have adopted them. A servant, ordinarily, may speak of his master as the Geta, and say that the Geta had told him to do this or that ; but when speaking of his master to a superior, who is then the Geta, he must use the word with the suflix pronoun of the third person, Gctau. As the King considered himself the Geta par excellence, he could not brook the application of it to any other in his presence. Theodore, however, was very liberal with the title "Aito," bestowing it on all civil ofliccrs and respectable merchants, as also on aliens, and did not object
* A learned friend of mine 8Ugi;ests whctlicr "Geta" may not be derived from the Hebrew (or Semitic) root, nx3. to be exalted, majestic. See Kx. xi. 1, 21. "Aito," he thinks, may have tlie same oxvi'm as tlic Ciialdco I3y» a counsellor or minister of the king. Vid. Ezra vii. 14, 15.
158 FROIM DEBEA TABOR TO MAGDALA. Chap. XIX.
to others being so designated, although, strictly speaking, only princes of the royal blood, and those on Avhom it is conferred by the Sovereign, have the right of adopting it. It approaches nearer to the Turkish " Effendi " than any other title T know of. When the King was concocting the letter to her Majesty, in April, 1866, which was sent by Mr. Flad, a discussion arose between him and his courtiers as to the title he should give me when mentioning my name. He remarked that the Queen had merely called me "our servant, Hormuzd Rassam," and submitted whether he ought to use a similar phrase. To this one of his courtiers replied, " Your Majesty may not consistently do so, inasmuch as the English Queen is his Mistress, and as such she very properly designates him simply by his name, as her servant." " Very well," rejoined the King, " I will give him the highest civil title in the realm, anil call him * Aito.' " The prefix was accordingly added to my name, and the amanuensis went on with his writing.
On the 4th, the King ordered that we should be allowed to take an airing on the hill, where we had been imprisoned in the black tent a few days before. To do so, we should have been obliged to pass the King's favourite place of resort, both in going and returning, and as his Majesty was as averse from meeting us as we were him, he directed a passage to be luade for us through the outer wall of the Treasury. A fence was also to be erected to separate us from his establishment ; but our servants were told that they might remain outside it. The fence was finished when we were desired, on the morning of the 5th, to prepare to set out with the King, who was pro- ceeding towards Magdala. At noon his Majesty started, and at about 1 vm. we followed him. Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux and I were allowed to ride the mules presented to
1866. JuLT. EN EOUTE TO MAGDALA. 15»
us by the King, but the rest, including Consul Cameron, were told to provide themselves with animals. Mrs. Kosenthal not l>eing well at the time, it was thought advisable to leave her behind with Mrs. Flad, at Debra Tabor, as we were not certain then where the King intended to take us.
On the 7th July we travelled with his Majesty as far as Ibankab, a distance of about thirty miles from Debra Tabor, and nearly fifty from 31agdala. All the time we were with him he treated us with great consideration. One day he sent to tell me that he hoped I did not look upon the guard which slept by our tents as having been placed there to watch us : its duty, he said, was to protect the royal household, and our encampment being near his, the guard was obliged to be close to us.
Samuel's services as Baldaraba were dispensed with, and my young interpreter, Dasta, was ordered by the King to act in his stead, as a temporary measure. For the first time after Samuel's disgrace, the King sent to him, on the 8th of July, to take me to a certain spot, and show me the large quantity of hailstones that had fiillen on the moun- tain of Guna, above Ibankab. When he heard that my companions, Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, and I were pleased with the sight, he sent to tell me that, if we liked, he would send us the next morning up to the high mountain, to see the hail nearer. On om- thanking him for his kind offer, he appointed a guard to escort us there and back — to protect us, as ho said, against robbers.
Early on the 9th he sent for Samuel, and after telling him he was a " slave of the English " and loved me more than he loved him (the King), he bade him get ready and start at once to keep me company at jMagdala. Bitwaddad Tadla (the Chief who had arrested Consul Cameron and his party on the loth
IGO FR0:M DEBRA tabor to MAgDALA. Chap. XIX.
of April, after tliey had left Korata) was then appointed to take me and my party to Magdala, and to proceed thither forthwith. We were told to take very few things with us, on account of the difficulty of travelling, and that the rest of our luggage ■would follow us shortly. The King was very anxious that we should reach Magdala before the rise of the rivers Chetta and Bashilo, which lay in our way, as he wished us to be in a " safe place " during the winter months. We each took bedding and a few articles of clothing ; but after the first stage we found that I was the only one allowed to carry those necessaries. For nearly a week my fellow-captives had nothing to sleep upon except what I could provide them with ; as for clothes, we had to put up with what we wore. Our guard consisted of about 100 men, most of whom were either killed or imprisoned by the King before the year was over, and their Chief, Bitwaddad Tadla, was kept in chains at Magdala until he was released by Sir Robert Napier.
The Europeans who were doomed to keep me company in bondage for nearly two years were seven in number — five of the old prisoners and two new ones. The former were : Consul Cameron, and Messrs. Stern, Rosenthal, Kerans and Pietro ; the latter, my companions, Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux.
We reached Magdala in the afternoon of the 12th of July, 1800, and after the ceremony of counting us had been gone through, and our names properly registered, we were ushered into an inclosure near the royal residence, which belonged to the chief minister, Pus Ingada. We were then shown into a room by the Commandant of Magdala, Dajjaj Kidana Maryam, where we a\ ere told to remain until further orders. This officer had been appointed by the King, through Bitwaddad Tadla, to act as my Baldaraba. The Bitwaddad also
18GG. July. THE CAPTIVES FETTERED. 161
told me that the orders of liis master were, that whatever I required would be attended to by the Commandant. Next to the room, or hut, referred to, there was another, which was also made over to us, for the use of our servants and Aito Samuel.
On our arrival at the fortress I found that Samuel's position with me was quite anomalous : the King had neither said that he was to be treated as a prisoner, nor that he was to act as agent between him and me ; but I was told confidentially that he was sent with me as a spy. After considering the matter carefully, I concluded that he would be more useful to us if I availed myself of his services in communicating with the local authorities. This I did a few days after, by sending friendly messages by him to different Chiefs, which gained him and me their confidence.
On the 16th the Chiefs of Magdala came to us and said that as the King had not sent definite orders about our imprisonment, they were obliged to be on the safe side, and must therefore put fetters on our legs. They accordingly hammered on the chains which they had brought for that purpose. After they had finished with my fellow-captives they began on me, but as one of the rings broke while it was being riveted, I was not chained till next day, the 17th. The Chiefs tried to assure me that the chains were not a sign of ill-will, as they were certain that their master was my friend, and they hoped that before many days had elapsed everything would be right again.
When Bitwaddad Tadla — the Chief who escorted us to Magdala — was about to return to Debra Tabor, he came to me for a message to the King, as botli ho and thcIMagdala Chiefs judged it expedient that ho should not go back witliout one, and tliat a pleasant communication from me might induce his
VUL. II. M
1C2 FEOM DEBRA TABOR TO MAGDALA. Cuap. XIX.
Majesty to relent. AVlicn the man came into my room on this errand, I felt very much disposed to give him no answer, as some of my fellow-captives had led me to understand that he was a bad man at heart, and held all Europeans in great aversion. I found out afterwards, however, that he really in- tended to do me a service. I was in low spu-its at the time, and not in the least disposed to concoct a hollow message, for I began to think that our lives hung ujDon a thread ; so I said to him, " Tell the King that my fellow-prisoners and I have reached this jail in safety, and that when this act of his becomes known, it will doubtless serve to increase his fame ; especially when people hear that a great Sovereign has im- prisoned a man merely because he was his friend." On my re- peating these words to Samuel he became ashy pale, and said, " I will certainly not translate what you have uttered, but will send a message suitable to the occasion." He then turned towards Bitwaddad Tadla, and told him that I wished him to convey my best compliments to the King, and to say that, by his Majesty's favour, I had reached Magdala in safety, and hoped ere long to have the pleasm-e of seeing him. When the Bituaddad reached the King, the first question the latter asked was, how he had left me, and what I had said on finding myself confined to Magdala. His reply was, that I felt highly favoured in having so exalted a locality allotted to me during the rainy season, and one so near his Majesty's Ilfing ; that my only regret was being so far from the royal presence, but that the thought of soon meeting the King again was a source of great consolation to me. Thereupon his Majesty sighed und merely remarked, "Poor Rassam, ho is still friendly towards mo, and when I go to IMagdala, which will be in the course of a few days, I will release him and treat him better than ever."
a8GG. July. OUR FIRST QUARTERS AT MAGDALA. 103
When the messenger, Lih, who accompanied Bitwaddad Tadia from Debra Tabor together with us, returned to the King after seeing us cliained, he told his Majesty, on being questioned on the subject, that I had not manifested any vexation, but had simply remarked that whatever came from the King was acceptable to me, from a gauntlet to a fetter round the leg. "Very well," replied his Majesty, "I will soon make him happy, but before then I must send a letter to comfort him; and remember, Lih, when you return to Magdala you must not forget to take a letter from me to my .friend Kassam."
The King had written to tlie Chiefs to say that Eas I'ngada's two huts should be occupied by my fellow-captives and their servants, and that another hut next to them, belong- ing to Fit-awrari Gabrie, should be appropriated to me, and that my o\Nn personal servants and Aito Samuel should be pro- vided with two separate rooms near me. For a week, however, my seven fellow-captives and I had to live day and night in one round hut, not more than fifteen feet in diameter; but when we were cliained and considered safe, the Chiefs allowed us to be separated as follows: I had the room assigned to me by the King ; Dr. Blanc and Lieut. Prideaux the little hut which had been provided for my servant — after the permission of the Chiefs was obtained ; and IMessrs. Kcrans and rietro occupied a part of the room, or hut, which had l)een turned into a kitchen.
AVhcn the messenger was sent l)y the Chiefs to Debra Tabor to report to the King that wo were safely shaclded, they directed him to tell his IMajesty what they had said to me about the fetters, in the hope tliat he would order us to be relieved of them. I was told that when the courier delivered the message, the King said, " Do those asses of
M 2
161 PROM DEBRA TABOR TO MAGDALA. Chap. XIX.
Magdala Chiefs think that ^Ir. Eassara is such a fool as to believe that any person could put him in chains without my special order? The thing is now done, and he must wait until I go there myself."
When we left the King at Ibankab, on the 0th, he had intended to follow in four or five days. He was only waiting for the concentration of his troops, which, since the middle of June, had been disjiersed in different parts of Bagaraeder, on account of the cholera. He subsequently changed his mind and went back to Debra Tabor. I was told that on two later occasions he had moved in our direction, but for some unknown reason he returned to Debra Tabor, after two or three days' march.
"When we were sent to Magdala the King had ordered — so I was told — that I should be allowed to have all my servants with me, but tliat my fellow-captives should only have one female servant each, in accordance w'ith the dis- cipline of the fortress. I Avas also to be allowed rations from his own establishment ; but, as for the rest, he did not care what became of them. The Cliiefs, who were very exact in obeying every command from their master, were somewhat reluctant to include my companions in the order about the rations and servants. Samuel, however, made their con- sciences easy at once by assuring them that we three had come to Abyssinia on the same erranrl, as friends of their King, and that consequently we were all one, and that when- ever the King spoke of me he meant the three combined. The rations, whicli consisted of a few loaves of bread not enougli for five persons, I declined ; but a small jar of tej\ generally so sour as to be undrinkable, I accepted for some time, to please the Chiefs. When honey became scarce^
•CiiAP. XIX. OUR QUAETERS ENLARGED. 165
and the communication between the royal camp and Magdala was interrupted, the t^ was stopped.
During our incarceration at Magdala the Chiefs never failed to seud me, on every great Abyssinian feast, one or two cows, in accordance with orders from their master. On many occasions when they were badly off for cattle they felt bound to present me with the usual offering, though they had none to spare for the royal establishment. The Chiefs became more friendly every day, and never failed to render us a variety of services, whenever they could do so safely. They soon allowed extra servants to our fellow-captives, and before many months had passed they enlarged our iuclosure to nearly three times its original extent, and permitted us to build within it as many rooms for our servants as we could. After a while, they permitted Consul Cameron to have a hut of his own, and ultimately they allowed Mr. Stern to occupy a separate apartment day and night. They never interfered with the ingress or egress of our messeugers, except on a few occasions, when they thought it advisable, for tlieir safety and ours, to show that they were on the alert.
Aito Samuel never once hesitated to serve me, even at the risk i)i his life. He was tliu lirst who undertook to scud our letters to the coast, by one of his own servants, with the report of our incarceration at ]\ragdala. Being thoroughly acquainted with Arabic and Amharic he was on all occasions of material service to me. As he was still styled the King's Laldaiabu, Chiefs, messengers and others could vi>it him without giving rise either to jealousy or fear. Having always kept open house for me when wo were provided with ratioHs from the King, I thought it advisable to allow him to con-
166 FROM DEBRA TABOR TO mAGDALA. Chap. XIX.
tiniic the same course of hospitality, notwithstanding our altered circumstances. His frequent entertainment of Abys- sinian parties, on my behalf, enabled me to keep up former- intimacies and to cultivate new acquaintances among the influential natives, whose friendship proved of essential ser- vice to us during our imprisonment at Magdala.
Chap. XX. THE MAGDALA COUNCIL. 1G7
CHAPTER XX.
OUR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA.
The Mdgdala Council — Ras Kidana Maryam, the Commandant — Eas Bisawwir — Bitwaddad Damash — Bitwaddad Hailo — Bitwaddad "Wasi — Bitwdddad Bahri — Dajjaj Gojje — Bitwaddad Bakal — Bitwaddad Hailo, of Chalga — Bitw^idad Dhafar — Our Warders :— Aba-Falck — Basha Bisdwwir — Yashalaka Adam — Yashdlaka Warke.
Before proceeding with the narrative of our captivity at Mairdala, I must introduce the reader to the different Members of Council \\ho kept watch and ward over us during our incarceration. Formerly, Magdala had only a Commandant, who was charged with the civil and military administration of the place, but when the King removed the political prisoners from the Sar Amba, in Chalga, to that fortress, he appointed nine Chiefs to various posts there, who were to constitute a Council — the Commandant, how- ever, retaining summary power, subject only to the superior authority of the Sovereign. All the Chiefs were to be con- sulted on ordinary matters, but more important subject- were to be referred to five only, who were privileged to know the King's secrets. On our arrival at IMagdala, all the Members of Council, including the Commandant, held the honorary title of " Dajazmatsh ;" but shortly after they had become our jailors, his Majesty raised the Commandant to the rank of "Eas," and the other nine Chiefs to that of " Bitwaddad."
Has Kidana Maryam, the Commandant and President of
168 OUR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX.
the Council, was an hereditary Chief of Bagameder, and in the time of Eas 'Ali he, ^vith the other leading men of his family, aided the Chiefs of Gojjam against the Galla ascend- ancy, which Eas 'Ali represented ; but when Theodore appeared in the field, they forsook their former allies and attached themselves to him. He was very gentlemanly in manners, and had the reputation of being a humane and just man, and would never allow an act of cruelty to be perpe- trated, unless ordered by the King. Apathy and indecision were his greatest faults, and he was never known to settle a case, unless backed by the Bitwaddads Bisawwir or Dam ash, A\ ho were far more energetic. Had he wished to rebel against the King, he might have done so easily, as he was beloved by every one in the fortress, and held the command of five hundred Lancers, forming one-third of the garrison. As his Majesty wished to destroy his native province of Bagameder, and was afraid to leave ]\Iagdala in his hands the meanwhile, he threw him into chains, on the pretext that he had heard of his having held communication with Menilek, King of Shoa. The jioor man ended his days in prison, at Debra Tabor, and when on the point of death he called all his relations, and in their presence appointed me his executor. He wrote me a letter just before he expired, assuring me that God had put it into his heart that I should be saved. He besought me, when I was safe, to look after his wife and children. This poor man behaved very civilly to my fellow- captives and myself while he remained in charge, and never failed to do us an act of kindness whenever it lay in his power.
BiTWADDAD Bie^AWWiK, tlic noxt in order, was a nephew to Theodore, and commanddl lialf llie Musketeers of the gar- rison consisting of 500 men. AVlien Eas Kidana Maryam
Chap. XX. BITWADDAD BISAWWIR. 169
was removed, the King made Bisawwir a " Eas," appointed him Commandant in his room, and placed under his orders the 500 Lancers of his predecessor; hence, as the nominal strength of the garrison was reckoned at 1,000 Lancers and 500 Musketeers, one-half the entire number was subject to his control. Bisawwir was a native of Infaraz, lying between Bagjimeder and Dambea, and his father, who was the CJbief of the place, had married Theodore's aunt — another daughter of the Eas of Ambara-Seint. His family were so wealthy in cattle and land that hundreds of poor people resorted to them for alms. The district where they resided was reputed for rearing the finest vines in Abyssinia, and its wine was sent to Gondar and other places for sale. He was so much given to chanting psalms that he was nicknamed *• Dabtera," or Clerk, and so transported with the services of the Church that he danced at them, in public, like the priests and monks. He was the first Chief sent to Magdala after its capture from the Gallas, and he retained command of the tr(jops until a few days before the place fell into our hands, ilc befriended me and my fellow-captives from our first arrival there until we left on the 11th of April, 1868, and never on any occasion refused me a favour, unless he judged it unsafe to grant it. The King had such perfect confidence in him that he made him overseer to his female establishment, which <lelicate ollice he discharged faithfully, never failing to keep the inmates in order, yet at the same time acceding to their wishes, provided they were not extravagant. In contrast to poor Kidaua Maryam, Bisdwwir was very easy on the score of responsibility. On one occasion, a doorkeeper of ours — of whom more anon — seized a note which had been sent to our quarters, for ^\v. Eosenthal, from one of tlie native prisoners. As it was contrary to the discipline of the fortress to allow
170 OUR GUARDIANS AT MIGDALA. Chap. XX..
any communication between the prisoners, the meddling doorkeepers — to spite Mr. Kosenthal, I believe — took the note and its bearer before the Eas. Kidana Maryam, who held that position at the time, was quite beN\ildered, not knowing how to dispose of the case; for, on the one hand, he was loth to do us any injury, and, on the other, he was afraid to hush it up, or even to reprimand the tell-tale for having brought so trumpery a matter to his notice. In this dilemma he called in the assistance of Bisawwir, and asked him to dispose of the case, without involving him in trouble. The Avary councillor remarked that, in the first place, he must see what the note contained — which, by the way, the Eas had. been too timid to read, fearing that it might reveal treason.. On perusing the note, Bisawwir summoned the doorkeepers, and gave them a severe rebuke for having made so much fuss about a trumpery piece of paj^er which had come from a beggar. " Tell me the truth, you blockheads," he continued* "have you never yourselves tasted the money of the Franks that you should be so punctilious in the matter of alms ?' Take this paper and eat it, and do not bother us any more about such nonsense. Does not our Master know that Aito Kassam is liberal, and that those who are in want beg of him ? " On hearing of this incident, I sent for the mischief-makers and asked what they had to say for themselves. They swore solemnly that they had intended no harm, knowing that what woidd liurt my fellow-captives would hurt me also; but the note, they said, had been brought in some vegetables, as if it were to be smuggled in, and that as one of our Portuguese servants had snatched the vegetables from the hand of the messengers, the note fell out in the presence of a number of strangers who were standing near the door ; consequently, they were obliged to notice it, and to let it be known 0})enly
CiiAP. XX. BITWADDAD DAMASH. 171
that it was liarmless, as it bad proved to be. " How cau you charge us with being mischief-makers," they added, " when you know, Sir, that we ourselves have brought you a number of letters, and passed your messengers in and out on many occasions? For the sake of our lives, we entreat you to tell your people to be cautious; for if this Indian had not snatched the vegetables from the Abyssinian, the note would not have fallen out ; and if the Abyssinian had brought the note to us, and asked us to deliver it to you, we should not have hesitated to do so, since you are a friend of our King, who would not be angry with us for such an act. On the other hand, what would he say if we allowed his enemies, the priests [Missionaries], to correspond with the native prisoners?"
The third Chief in rank and importance, but pre-eminent for his temerity, was Bitwaddad DamAsh, one of the King's fathers-in-law, and a native of the same province as Theo- dore, who had also been brought up with him almost from childhood. He was one of the five Privy Councillors, and commanded the other half of the Musketeers — 250 men — of the garrison. It was also his duty to sleep at the Treasu ry , and see that it was well guarded at night. This man ^\■as generally disliked both by Europeans and natives; for my own part, I always found hiui amicably disposed, and he never failed to support me in the Council, whenever I asked for anything to add to our comfort. I had been given to understand that liis relationship to Theodore gave him a high standing in the royal favour, and that his Majesty had com- missioned him to report to him all that my fellow-captives and I did. His house adjoined ours, and none of our messen- gers or servants could come in or go out without passing his door. He had sent his son — a lad about twelve years
172 OUR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX.
old — to visit me on our first arrival, and continued the practice almost daily, so that I was enabled, through him, to keep up a regular communication with his father, and by degrees we became very friendly, although, owing to nis ill- ness, we did not see each other for nearly six months after I reached Magdala. Hearing that we were badly off for money, he twdce sent us cows and bread, and offered to get me anything from the Treasury, if I needed it. On his recovery, he came to call upon me, and as he knew a little Arabic I could speak to him without the interven- tion of an interpreter, so that, in course of time, we became fast friends. One morning he took a solemn oath that he would stand by me unto death, and I am bound to testify that he kept his word, and never once betrayed me. He was the only Chief who, for a w hole year, had the courage to come and see me alone, without being attended by a subordinate to hear what passed between us ; in fact, he considered it beyond the power of any Abyssinian to injure him. He told me, on one occasion, to my great surprise, that ho was aware of my communications with the coast, and he actually gave me the names of the messengers and the time they had started. However, lie bade me not fear, since he had sworn not to betray my secrets ; nevertheless, he advised me to use the greatest caution, lest the letters might be seized at the gate. Thenceforward, I always sent him a private message whenever I intended to dispatch messengers to the <joast. When this fact came to Samuel's knowledge, about a year afterwards, the poor man nearly ftiinted, for he believed that it would be safer to trust Satan himself than Bitwaddad Damash; and when I divulged to him another secret — namely, that I had intrusted tliat Chief with my pai)ers — the hair of •Samuel's head nearly stood on end with consternation. None
Chap. XX. BITWADDAD DAMASH. 173^
of the Chiefs at Magdala rendered such good service, through me, to my fellow-ca])tives as Damash. He always took our part before the Council, whenever anything connected with us was brought under discussion. Twice while I was phiying whist at night with Bhinc and Prideaux, he came near our fence and called out to us to be on our guard, as a number of lights had been seen on the heights at Dawuut, which might belong to the royal camp — the King was then expected at Magdala — or to a great Eas coming on important business. It hap- pened to be the latter on botli occasions, and through this timely notice we were able to dispose of all papers likely to compromise us, in case their seizure had been ordered by his 3[ajesty. Moreover, whenever a messenger arrived from the King, he was the first to report to me that all was " right." (Jn my expressing a wish that Blanc and Prideaux's hut might be enlarged, he it was who tokl the Council that there- could be no harm in allowing my companions, who were the '• friends of the King," to increase the size of their abode ; and he himself undertook, with the assistance of his Musketeers, to pull down the old building and to erect a larger in its place. When I wished that Consul Cameron and Mr. Stern might have separate huts to live and sleep in, Damash and Ras Bisawwir were the only members of the Council who sanctioned the arrangement. In fact, from the outset, ho never shrank from doing us a good turn, sparing us through- out much trouble ; and it was probably through his inter- vention that the life of Consul Cameron's messenger was saved when he was seized in Dalanta, in IVIarch, 1868, while tlio King was on his way to Magdala. His IMajosty had given strict orders prohibiting all communication between his camp and the latter fortress, and any one caught in the act of disobeying was to be executed on the sjiot. Mr. Flad
174 OUR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX.
had also written and warned us against sending any one to the royal camp ; but the advice was unheeded : a man was sent, and he was seized at the outpost. Luckily, Bit^^addad Damash was in command of the outer guard on the occasion, and, finding that the messenger belonged to our j^arty, he told the sentry that the man was his servant and was not to be meddled with. Damash's wife and son, as also his brothers, who M-ere royal couriers, called upon me frequently, in the most open and unreserved manner — with the excep- tion of the lady who, according to Abyssinian etiquette, was debarred from making visits during the daytime. Unfor- tunately, Damash was of a quarrelsome disposition, and (luring most of our stay at Magdala he was either in hot water with his wives — he had two — or with Samuel. No sooner had I settled one case of disagreement between them than another broke out ; but tho task of reconciling the husband with his consorts was easy compared with that of making matters up between Damash and Samuel. Some- times they would not sjieak to each other for a couple of months, and then, in my presence, would revile one another at the top of their voices. One day the quarrel between the husband and one of his two wives came to a crisis, for the lady left him, and took refuge in the house of a man whom she knew he hated. This step on her part occasioned no little scandal on the mountain, insomuch that even Samuel begged me to interfere, especially as the lady had threatened to expose all lier luisband's proceedings to the King, and Samuel, being on ratlicr too intimate terms with the family, feared that he also might be compromised. The Commandant and his colleagues also urged me, as a friend of tho parties, to reprimand Damash for liis bad behaviour to his wife, A\hom he had neglected and ahnost
-Chap. XX. BITWADDAD HAILO. 175
starved, and, if possible, to induce the runagate to return home. I accordingly appointed a petty Chief, accompanied by one of my interpreters, to wait upon the lady on my behalf, and upon my undertaking to be her guardian and to keep Damash in order, she returned to her husband and promised to bo obedient to him in future. Before concluding this sketch I must mention one among many of Damash's acts of kindly consideration for us. Knowing that my fellow- captives and I only ate wheateu bread, he sowed a field of corn for our special use, and had the produce stored in his granary, in case we might need it during the winter of 1868. Fortunately, we did not require it, but the British force had the benefit of it when they took jjosscssion of Magdala.
The fourth member of the Privy Council was Bitwaddad Hailo, a man of good fomily, who, to use a fomiliar phrase, had more sense in his little finger than all the other Chiefs combined had in their brains. He was brother to Lij Tasamma, the Chief of the escort appointed by the King to receive the Mission at Chalga, wlien we reached that jJace from Matamma, and the eldest son of "Wiiizero Dcnko, the lady who entertained us at Wandigo. On our arrival at Magdala, I was apprised that he was one of the spies selected by the King to watch over my movements and those of the other captives, European and native. I accordingly lost no time in endeavouring to secure his interest. That was an easy task, for I noticed that when we were fettered, he not only tried to select the lightest fetters Ibr mo, but manifested much emotion wlien they were being riveted on. lie had heard that I was on the most friendly terms with his family, and his master's treachery towards us had oxcited his intense disgust. lie and Bitwiidda 1 Tadla, the Chief who escorted us to Mtigdala, met on the night of the 12th of July — the day
176 OUR GUARDIANS AT MAG DAL A. Chap. XX.
Ave wore brought into the fortress — and both spoke despoud- ingly of my fate and that of my fellow-captives. Tadla declared that he felt so utterly degraded by the duty which had been allotted to him, that had his wife and children not been in the King's power, he would have taken us to Wadala, after crossing the Bashilo, and there set us free. He told Bitwaddad Hailo that he ouglit to use his best efforts to befriend us, inasmuch as I deserved every good man's sympathy. When Hailo heard that we were badly off for money, he sent and requested me to allow him to present me with five hundred dollars, knowing, he said, that as a stranger I should find some difficulty in obtaining funds during the rainy season. Eas Kidana Maryam also sent me a similar message ; but I declined both offers, with my best thanks, stating that I was not in immediate want. In order to put the friendship of the former to the test, I asked him to assist me in procuring money from Matamma, knowing that he might easily do so through his brothers, who were Chiefs of Chalga, unless fear of the King's displeasure stood in liis way. He acceded to the reqnest at once, and would not even allow me to write to my agent at Matamma to recompense the messenger, whom he sent with my letter, for his trouble. The man returned in due time, bringing the funds applied for, and it was only after a long debate that he consented to my presenting him with a few dollars. The imprisonment of his bosom friend, Kas Kidana Maryam, the old Commandant, increased his antipathy to the King, and from that time forward ho began to concert measures to get out of ]\[agdala, and to assist in effecting my escape. For more than a year he was jjrcpiircd to let me down by a liKhler, with one attendant, and scud nic oith<>r to Slioa or Lasta, to bo conveyed from thence to the coast. On my
M:hap. XX. BITWADDAD WAST. 177
Tepresenting to him tliat I could not possibly avail myself of his kind offer, leaving my fellow-captives behind, he con- sulted with the parties who were to have cooperated in the attempt, and they agreed to include Dr. Blanc and Lieut. Prideaux, but not a man more, otherwise detection would be inevitable, and all would fall in one common mas- sacre. As I gave him to understand that it was utterly out ■of the question for me to take advantage of his kindness, at the risk of the life even of one of our Indian followers, the subject was dropped. When the King came to 3Iagdala, in March, 18G8, Bitwaddad Plailo was in such dread of encoun- tering him, that he escaped by a ladder, hung over a pre- cipice. The way he managed was this : his mother had come to see him at the time, and was then at Salamge — the plateau below Magdala — whither he sent his wife and child to visit her, and by a preconcerted arrangement the three met him during the night, just as he effected his descent from the heights, and then all proceeded together to join the Gallas. On the arrival of the British force, he took refuge with Sir Robert Napier, and according to the latest reports he was admiuistcring the government of his native province, Wandige, and the adjoining districts. Bitwaddad Ilailo used his utmost endeavours while we were at ^lagdala to induce me to marry, offering, on gaining my consent, to send for his niece, the accomplished belle of Wandige, and to present her to me as a bride. 3[y excuse was, that a man in fetters could hardly think of offering himself as a bride- groom. It was hinted to me at the time that the suggestion originated with the King, who would have been delighted had I fallen into any such entanglement.
BitwAddau WAsi, the fifth member of the Trivy Council, was a Kamaut, and a native of Cbalga. He was a
VOL. II. N
178 OTJR GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX..
man of imblemisliecl character, and so devoted to the King that he regarded the least reflection on any of the royal acts as akin to blasphemy. He was always forward to do me a kindness, provided that it in no way interfered with his loyalty to Theodore ; but as his Majesty always designated me as his " friend " in his letters to the Council, and directed that all its members should visit me and attend to my wants, he was not backward to stretch a point now and then to serve me. So averse was he from receiving presents from any of the prisoners, that before sending him the customary contribution of a cow, bread and mead, towards the wake which he was about to give in memory of his mother, whose death had just been reported from Chalga, I deemed it prudent to ask whether the offering would be agreeable to him. His message in reply was, that he could receive nothing fi'om me while I was a prisoner and he my warden, begging me at the same time not to send him anything ; if I did, he would be compelled to return it, however much it might pain him to do so. When the mourning was over, he came to apologize for having declined my proffered gift, praying that I would not consider the refusal as indicative of ill-feeling on his part, inasmuch as he entertained a high regard for me. Conscientious scruples, he said, forbade his receiving any donation from a prisoner; "but," he added, " lest you may still misunderstand me, I will not leave your house until you let me know how I can serve you, in order that I may have an opportunity of proving the sincerity of my friendship to my son's friend." His son, Lij Tasho, one of our- Chalga escort, had written to secure his father's good ofTiccs for me when we Avere transferred to Magdala. I accordingly asked him to procure me a supply of cash from our agent at Matdmma, A\hich he undertook to do at once,.
CuAP. XX. BITWADDAD BAIIRL 17i>
but before the messenger whom he dispatched could return, the whole' country between the Lake and 3Iagdala had risen in rebellion, and although the man made two efforts to join us, he found it impracticable to do so safely, with a large sum of money in his possession. One day in Easter, Samuel sent him a bottle of arrack and an European shirt; the Bitwaddad returned them immediately, and wished to know why I had acted as I had done, after the explanation which he had given me of his scruples in such matters. The articles were sent into my room an ith the rude message, " Did I not tell you that you were a prisoner ? " As Samuel had taken this stop without my knowledge, I reprimanded him for it, and insisted on his going forthwith to explain to Bitwadda'l Wasi how the case stood. Samuel went to the Council, which was then convened to discuss the payments due to the soldiers, and complained of the message which the Kamant Bit\Naddad had sent me. Thereupon the members came to me in a body, begging me to overlook the rudeness of their colleague, who was then sent for and made to apologize, and to declare that I was not a prisoner, but the King's " friend." We were on the best terms ever after, until we parted on the ca2)ture of Magdala.
BitwAddad Baiiri, the sixth member of Council, was a native of Agowmeder. His sole business was to take charge of the Treasuiy, and to see that nothing was allowed to leave it without an order from the King. He was an upright man, never intermeddled in matters which did not concern him, and was never known to utter an unkind word to any one. He was particularly gracious to me, and although he had presented mo with cows on several occasions, he absolutely refused any return until the approach of the King, when ho accepted a tilk shirt from me for himself, and a suitable dress
N 2
180 OUR GUARDIANS AT :\rACTDALA. Chap. XX.
for his ^Aife. Bitwaddad Giiinti Bisawwir, auotlier member of the Council, was associated with him in the charge over the Treasury; and there was a Deputy-Treasurer besides, named Bajirwand Wald-Tukle, a native of Tigre.
Dajjaj Gojj£, the next member, was a native of Waggara. He was an inoffensive old man, much addicted to mead, and consequently very much attached to those who treated him to the favourite beverage. I was on very friendly terms with his wife, and, although we never met, compliments passed between us every day ; but as she resided within the precincts of the Ilfing, she was unable to pay me a visit, because those who are privileged to hold intercourse with the royal concubines are not allowed to associate with strangers. The Dajjaj commanded 500 Lancers of the garrison, and although he held an important post at Magdala, the King, for some reason or other, had omitted him when he raised his colleagues to the rank of " Bitwaddad."
The eighth member was Bitwaddad Bakal, another harm- less old man, whose only fault was excessive devotion to his master. He was one of the guardians of the Ufa^g, charged with seeing that the eunuchs attended to their duties and did not neglect their royal mistresses. He was very intimate with me, and, from the date of our arrival at IMagdala until our release, his wife, daughter and niece were among my constant visitors. He did all in lii.s power to oblige me in every way, and w henevcr he heard that wc were in ^\ ant of money, he presented us witli a cow. He disliked the Bishop exceedingly, holding that as a subject it did not become him to abuse the " Lord's Anointed." He stuck to Theodore to the last, and when I entered Magdala with Sir Robert Napier, after the capture of the place, I saw him in the agonies of death, near the gate, where he had
CiiAP. XX. OUn WARDERS. ISl
been shot. I caused his body to be made over to hi> family for interment, and dei)l()red the poor ohi man's fate the more for having sacriticed his life in the cause of one who was unworthy of such unswervinf:^ attachment.
The exclusive duty of 13itwaddad Hailo, a native of Chalga, the ninth member of Council, was to watch over the native prisoners, in conjunction with Bitwaddads AYasi and the other Ilailo. Though timid and quiet, he succeeded in maintaining order among the hundreds of unfortunate bein^-s who were placed under his charge for jiolitical offences. He died in 1SG7, durincj an epidemic wliich raged among the native prisoners for several months. His son, Lij Tasamma, was appointed by the King to succeed him as warder, but witliout a scat at the Council.
BiTwiDDAD Gainti Bisawwir was a native of Gliiut in Bagaraeder. As already mentioned, he was colleague to Bit^^addad Bahri over the Treasury. He was specially re- sponsible for the cash deposits, and not a dollar could be issued without his sanction.
BiTWADDAD DiiAfak, the last memuer of the ^fagdala Council, was a native of Chalga. He was a confirmed tojier, and when the mead, or tij, got into his head he was fit for nothing. Ho liad ch;irge of the native prisoners con- jointly with Bitwaddads Wa>i and Ilailo. He had a filthy habit of expectorating, which his colleagues endeavoured to ristrain, will iH'Vcr tlicy visitfil me in his company. If thi'ir injun»ti(tns were unheeded, they generally sent liini 111 line under an escort.
Having described the Chiefs of Magdala, I must now introiluco our official door-keepers, or warders, who h'M a nio.^t important position with regard to ourselves dur-
182 OUR GUAEDIAXS AT mIGDALA. Chap. XX.
iug our impri.sonment. For tlie first "week of our captivity they were selected from the guard, which used to be changed every twenty-four hours ; the consequence was that we were subject to different treatment every day, some of the men being comparatively lenient, while others went so far as to jirohibit our Indian servants from leaving the house, and would not allow others to enter. This interference became so intolerable in a short time that Eas Kidana Maryam, in conjunction with the other members of the Council, appointed four officers to keep ward over us, two and two in rotation. They were accordingly duly introduced to me, and placed under Samuel, who was to receive his instructions fi-om me as to the persons to be allowed to enter or leave our premises. The names of these men were Aba-Falek, Ba-^ha Bisawwir, Yashalaka Adam, and Yashalaka Warke.
Aba-Falek was cordially hated by every soul on the moun- tain, and he considered it his bounden duty to reciprocate the general sentiment. He was the most subtle and crafty Abyssinian I ever met with, but at the same time inviolable in his secrecy. He was faithful to me from first to last, and obeyed aU my orders with alacrity. My fellow-captives were the objects of liis intense dislike, as were also all the Magdala Chiefs, especially Ivas Kidana Maryam, against whom he used to send stories to the King, and was known to declare openly, on several occasions, that he hoped to live long enough to see the Commandant disgraced. He was between sixty and seventy years old, but as robust and strong as a man of thirty. One day he had a quarrel with the Chiefs in my room, and told them that they had no business there without his jier- mission ; and when the Eas bade him hold his tongue he abused him and his colleagues most grossly, saying that he recognized no one's authority but the King's, and, after the
Chap. XX. ABA-FALEK. 183
King'.s, mine, as being Lis Majesty's frien<l. I was eventually obliged to interfere and send him out of the room, hut he still threatened to divulge all the misdoings of the Cliiefs to the King as soon as he arrived. Once it was reported to me that he was about to set out on this errand on the approach of Theodore to Magdala, and serious mischief would have been the inevitable result. I accordingly sent for him, and ex230stulated with him on the wickedness of any such tale- bearing. His reply was, that as everybody hated him, he intended to requite them in a similar manner ; but if I judged that he might injure me by so doing, he would rather cut his tongue off than be the cause of any mishap to me. When I was threatened by the King on Good Friday, the 9th of April^ 1SG8, that his friendship for me should be at an end, and that the blood of the messenger whom I employed would lie at my door if I communicated with the British, Aba-Falek took charge of a note from me to the investing force, and employed one of his female servants, who disguised herself, to convey it through the royal camp to its destination. She feigned to be going out to gather wood, but was seized at the outpost and kept in custody till the following day, when she was released on the plea of ignorance of the royal order for- bidding any one to leave the place. Her delay gave Aba- Falek no little anxiety, in which 1 heartily shared, fearing that she might bo discovered, in which case she would cer- tainly have lost her life, especially if the missive with ^^hicll ulio had been intrusted were found upon her. But tlie Abys.sinians arc unquestionably a remarkable people for keeping a secret. Although this i)oor woman had many opportunities to destroy the note after her seizure, she ncver- tlieless hesitated to do so, lest it might contain something valuable ^^hich could not be replaced.
184 OLTv GUARDIANS AT MAGDALA. Cuap. XX..
Aba-Falek's comrade on guard was Basra Bisawwir, ^^llo was always stern and morose. His greatest enemies were Samuel and Damasli, whom he could never allow to pass without some rude speecli or gesture of defiance. W-lienever these treated him with the slightest disrespect, he retorted by telling the former that he had no right to intrude hi.^ presence upon me so frequently ; the latter he called a non- entity, who was barely tolerated. On three different occasions he entered Samuel's house and drove out from thence the royal coui'iers, who were sipping mead with the host after the fatigue of their journey. " How dare you come here," he would say, " to enjoy yourselves in the house of the prisoners, when your master only sent you to deliver his compliments to Mr. Eassam? As for this man, this Samuel, I know nothing about him, since the King has not defined his posi- tion here ; but as regards myself, I have been appointed watchman under his JMajesty's sanction, and I will not allow any one to enter without my permission. So, come; bestir yourselves, and walk out, otherwise I shall be obliged ta resort to force." The liumiliatcd couriers never ventured to resist these objurgations, fearing lest the malicious warder might charge them with tippling, and suggest that ^^hile in that state Samuel wormed from them some of the secrets of the royal camp. Whenever, therefore, any object was to bo gained by detaining the couriers a little longer, I generally sent my compliments to the doorkeeper, and begged him to summon them to me, in order tliat I might make some in- quiries of them. I then placed them in a small by-room — Samuel's official residence — where they and Samuel might cliat as long as they pleased. Basha Bi^aw wir was, in fact, Samuel's Gorgon, for he had only to open liis moutli and tlio otherwise fearless liilldaraba was struck dumb. "When the
CiiAP. XX. ADAM ^VXD WxiEKl^. 185
warders were appointed to watch over n:<, I thought it dcsir- al)le to secure their iroodwill bv ffivinp: them a reirukr -uLiry; but for three whole months Basha Bisdwwir and his comrade absolutely refused to take a single dollar, on the grounil that being a prisoner I might find it difficult some day to procure money. After they once began to receive a monthly stipend, they never asked me for an addi- tional present ; and when I occasionally gave them a shirt or a new dress they always accepted the gift with gratitude. Moreover, if they happened to hear that my funds were low, they declined to take their salary when it was due, and l>egged that I would not think of them until further supplies reached mc.
The third doorkeeper, YashAlaka Adam, had attained, according to his own reckoning, the age of fourscore years, lie was a harmless kind of man, who never gave himself or others any trouble so long as his stomach was well filled with hrundo and mead. His worst propensity was begging : if he received five dollars in the morning, he would come again at noon and tell you tliat his wife's hair required a little butter, or that her shirt was worn out and slio wantdl a new one. He hated Aba-Falek most cordially, and never lost an (tpportunity of abusing him — beliiud his back.
YasiiAlaka Wauk£, the comrade on watch with the formor, was really a good man, who never annoyed any one — European or native. Warko was liked by all on the luoimtain as mucli as Aba-Fiilok was disliked. AVlicn lie was on guard, no one knew that such an official was in the house. The only occasion on which I found him strict in the cxrcutiitii of liis dutv was wluu the King doscendrd with all his troops to attack our advanced guard, lb- was him- self in groat dread of being killed either by iht; Kinir "i- by
l{^6 OUK GUARDIANS AT mIgDALA. Chap. XX.
our troo2>-:. I am bouiitl to say, however, that the four warders behaved with the greatest fidelity towards me. All commu- nications from the native jail came to me through them, and whenever any of the chief political prisoners sent mes- sengers to me, they always allowed them to pass, and, in fact, Avere the first to rcj)ort their arrival to me. After we had been acquainted several months, they even admitted the Bishop's messengers, though if this had come to the King's knowledge they would probably have forfeited their lives. They never interfered with our messengers or servants, although it was their duty to sec that the discipline of the fortress was in no way infringed. In fact, had Aba-Falek and Basha Bisawwir wished to annoy us, they might have done so in a thousand ways ; and had they not been faithful to their promise never to do me or my party an injury, they might have placed us in serious danger before the King's arrival. After these two men had been A\it]i us for some time, the Chiefs wished to substitute others in their stead ; but even the brave Damash hesitated to remove them, fearing to excite their animosity. Hence, when the matter was discussed before the Council, all the members concurred that the best course would be to leave them under my management, confident that I should be able to keep them from doinir mischief.
Chap. XXI. OCR DOMESTICS. 187
CHATTEli XXL
LIFE AT MAGDALA.
Our domestics — A coraplinicntary letter from the King — Pvclaxation of prison discipline — Samuel and a Tigrfi Chief at locfgerhcads — Duties of the petty Chiefs — The Guards at the Gates — Meditated escape — Escape impracticAble — The MetroiX)litan, Al><lna Salima — His character vindicated — Ilis illness and death — His differences with Theodore — Concessions as to quarters — Abyssinian red-tajie — Tlie Author's abode
— Abortive sanitary eftorts — The Captives' quarters — Tiie Cai>tives' menage — Entertainment of public guests — Society and sympathy — Native lady vi-sitors — Water at Magdala — Soil and climate — Birds
— Religious inquiry among the native soldiery — Reform movement — Conversions to Christianity from Isliim — Christian names — Our own worsliip.
Till-: orders which the King liad sent when we were taken to Magdahi were, that I should have all my servants with me, but that my fellow-captives should be restricted to one female servant each, in accordance with tlic rules of the fortress in such cases. Tlie Chiefs added, that a mistress would be alLjwed to each, if the captives chose to avail thtmselves of that boon. This statement may seem as in- credible as it is shocking to many of my readers; neverthe- less, such is th(! lamentable state of social morality among the Abyssinian Christians generally, that a proposition of this nature comes from tlum as a matter of course, unaccom- panied with the least idea of its degradation. As Samuel and I had succeeded in convincing the Chiefs that Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux were associated with me in the same friendly mission to the King — in fact, that tlicy ^\ero
188 LIFE AT ^lAGDALA. Chap. XXT.
to be considered as one \\illi myself — tliey vrere allowed to have as many servants as they wished ; but when I pleaded for the same privilege in belialf of Consul Cameron, they replied that they could not make any difference between him and the other old captives, who were reckoned among the King's enemies, and that it was only by special favour on the part of his Majesty that they were permitted to be located with us, near the royal Ilfing, seeing that their proper place was the common jail. Eventually, however, after repeated solicitations, I induced Eas Kid ana Maryam to allow the Consul the services of a lad, \\\\o was to be nominally my milk-boy.
On the 9th of August the King sent me a letter containing nothing but compliments ; nevertheless, although it consisted of no more than three lines, it created a great sensation on the mountain. "What think you?" one gossip would say to another ; " the King has written to Mr. Eassam, who is a prisoner! Surely, therefore, his Majesty does not regard him as an enemy, but must really love him." The Chiefs, who were well-disposed towards me from the outset, com- municated the foct to the petty Chiefs of the garrison, and as the former had also received instructions from the King to visit me frequently, and to see to my comfort, inasmuch as I was his " friend " and not his enemy, they caused his ^Majesty's letter to me to be read in open court, in the Treasury, before the assembled officers of the fortress. Such a thing, in fact, was unparalleled, that the great Theodore should condescend to write to a prisoner, when every soldier of the garrison knew that even his Holiness, the Abiina, had never received a line from him since his imprisonment at. IMagdala, and that whenever his Majesty wished ;to communi- cate with him he did so through the Chiefs. From that day
Chap. XXI. rRISOX DISCirLIXE. 189
forward the latter were more disposed tlim ever to serve me, and, at my solicitation, to extend their fiivour to my fellow- captives; but all my efforts to convince them that my fellow-captives and I were to be regarded in the same light — having one common feeling towards the King — signally failed. Whenever I expressed these sentiments to Eas Bisawwii-, Tlieodore's nephew and the foremost in the Council before he was appointed Commandant, he used to smile, wink his eye, and look at me as much as to say, " We know better." However, as his Majesty had given tliem such positive instructions to attend to all my wants, they thought them- selves justified in stretching a point to please me, as regards concessions to my fellow-captives. They accordingly allowed them extra servants, and by making friends with the petty Cliiefs who kept the night-watch, I induced them to relax the prison discipline, which requires that all prisoners shall retire to their rooms at sunset, there to be strictly guarded imtil the morning. Eventually, this watch became a mere sham, for those of my fellow-captives who chose to employ or amuse themselves till very late at night were seldom interfered with. Occasionally, however, some of tlio petty Chiefs who were at variance with Samuel used to turn restive, and insist on enforcing the prison rules by making all my fellow-captives sleep together in one room. After exhausting every other argument in vain, Samuel would fall back u[)on " the King's friend," and say to the refractory Chiefs, " Very well ; you want all the captives to sleep in one room ; so be it. I must first send and tell ^Ir. Rassam to begin to move, and then I will summon the rest." Thereui»on his toniientdrs doelaro that they never mentioned my name, and did not iiili'iid to include me in tli<' iiiiiiiber. Sainucl. ijui<-kly per- ceiving the advttuUigc which ho has gained, swears " by llio
190 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXT.
death of the King " that all the cajitivcs must be watched collectively or not at all. On one occasion, the alterca- tion between Samuel and a Tigrean Chief, on this same sub- ject, attained such a pitch that they both proceeded to tlio Council by night to argue the case before them. Samuel, finding that he could not stop the Chief's impetuous garrulity, called out to his confidential servant, and said, " Go and tell Mr. Eassam to prepare to sleep in Mr. Stern's room for the night, in company with the other captives ; because a great Chief has come forward to defy the King by ordering him, the King's friend, to betake himself where this grand man may watch him." This sarcastic message put the petty Chief into an awful rage, which he vented on his antagonist by callino; him a liar and a villain — a man who had sold himself to the FrmiclwUh for a glass of mead and a fijie sMmma. The fracas, which was now at its height, might have resulted in a few broken heads had not Bitwaddad Damash, Avho lived next door, suddenly made his appearance. However, the obstinate Chief would not be silenced ; and as he swore " by the death of the King " that he would not be satisfied until he knew whether he or Samuel was responsible for the dis- cipline in the prison-house of the Em-opeans, the contending parties were obliged to go before the Commandant. Ras Bi.sawwir, who was never at a loss in such contingencies, silenced the Chief at once by telling him that as the King had appointed me Baldaraba to all my fellow-captives, and had specially deputed Samuel to assist me, the night-watch was merely nominal ; that Samuel and I only were respon- sible for the rest of the captives ; and that the duty of the Chief in charge of the night-guard was simply to see that none of the prisoners left their rooms at night. This decision, as may be imagined, did not tend to soothe the feelings of
Chap. XXI. OUK GUAPiDS. 191
the exasperated Tigrean, for whenever his turn came to take the watch, which was once a fortnight, he never lost an opportunity of annoying Samuel, either by prohibiting his servants to leave our indosure after a certain hour, or preventing others from entering it to join their masters. Ultimately, however, the Magdala Chiefs brought about a reconciliation betNveen the parties, who' afterwards became so intimate that they used to call each other " brother."
The petty Chiefs, who ranked next after the Members of Council, were nominally in command of a hundred men. " Basha " was the j^roper title of a captain of Musketeers, and " Yashalaka " of Lancers ; but when the King raised the members of Council to the dignity of " Bitwaddad," he made all the Bashas and Yashalakas " Dajazmatsh." The duty of the latter was to watch personally over the Ilfin(/, our quar- ters, the Treasury, and the Bishop ; over the native prison and the two gates of Magdala tliey might either mount guard themselves, or depute their lieutenants with a certain number of men to each post. At first, the order was that wo were to be guarded every night by fifty men, but as some of the captains had not above half that number under their command, it frequently happened that we were left with only three privates and their captain. Two old Chiefs invari- ably went to sleep as soon as they came, and wo might have walked out and disported ourselves on the mountains to any extent, for all they cared. Tliu ililTiculty with us, as regards • fTocting our escape, was not how to get beyond the inclosuro \\liich surrounded our pri.<on-house, but how to reach Sa- h'linge — the plateau below ^lagdahi. Indeed, a number of the guard would have willingly joined us, with their families, in any attempt to regain our liberty, but there was no safe way of leaving the fortress. The only exit was by the
192 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX F.
double gates, at each of Avliieli a dozen warders, chosen from different and conflicting tribes, were posted throughout the day and night. They were all introduced to me, and we were on the best terms up to the last. At sunset, the gates were closed and the keys sent to the Commandant, ^^llo kept them till the following morning. Fifty men mounted guard over each gate by night, and in case of alarm the Com- mandant was bound to repair to the Salamge Gate, double the guard over the native prisoners, and summon all the garrison to assist him. Not a soul, from the highest Chief next in rank to the Eas do^^ n to the common soldier, could leave the fortress without a special permit from the Com- mandant— a stringent rule, first instituted when all the political prisoners were brought to Magdala, in 18G4. When- ever the Commandant granted a pass to any one, he took the precaution of retaining his wife and children as security ; but Kas Bisaw\\ ir, an easy-going sort of man, was deceived by a good many who obtained his permission to go beyond the fortress and never returned, having managed somehow or other either to send their wives out beforehand, or to get them to follow.
The King having reiterated his instructions to the Chiefs to attend to all my wants, they appointed one Guangul, a native of Tigie, who spoke Arabic well, to act as my purveyor by accompanying our servants to make their daily purchases in the market. As this man was also spirit-broker to the royal cellar, he superintended our distilleries, and pro luced some very good liquor from tcj. A female distiller from the royal establishment was also allotted to Samuel. Then, ajrain, when I was at a loss for an efficient native writer, the Chiefs placed the services of Alaka Zannab, the keeper of the royal archives, at my disposal. This man was an excel-
Chap. XXI. TIIOrcaiTS OF ESCAPE. 1<)3
lent .scribe and perfectly trn-stwortliy, so that I never hesitated to confide my secrets to liini.
After we were cliained at Magdala, our prospects appenri^d so gloomy that I judged it a sacred duty to do all in my power to save my fellow-captives and myself from our perilous po.sition. I accordingly w^rote to the Bishop — who was then a prisoner himself in the same fortress — through a con- fidential me.s.senger, asking whether he could a.^^sist us in effecting our escape with the co-operation of his friends in the garri.son or b.^yond it, otVcring at the same time to pay any sum he chose to name for our rescue, provided he could cruarantoo our nnfe conveyance to the coast. His answer was that ht* could not trust tln^ ^lagdala people, and that none of his friends outside the Amba, especially among the chief rebels, had sufficient pluck to make the attempt. He siil>- mitted that the ^nly way he could assist us wiis by my aiding him to escape first, and, once free, he would summon all the Aby.><sinian Christians to arms, and soon make an end of our common tormentor. If I could not manage to get him nut of the fortress by any other means, he suggested that our doctor might supply him with a dye to colour his skin, and so disgiii.sed he might be able to smugizh^ himself out of the gates in company with a party of th(.' natives. As there were many serious objections to this scheme, I gave up all liope of suceuur frinii that ipiarter, ;iii(l tried .<?everal others with the sjime result, until at length the conviction was forced uj»on me that f)ur deliverance could oidy be eftected by an invading army.
The late AInlna Salama was strongly attaejied to th<» liritisli, and his education at an llnglish school at Cairo had s(.'rv»Ml to imbue hini with liberal views, and to di\est him of many of tho-^e euutracted and superstitious notions which are
vol.. II. u
194 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
the bane to all progress in tlie West as well as in the East. He uniformly befriended all British subjects, whether consuls or missionaries, travellers or adventurers, I am persuaded that there is nothing he would not have done, had he pos- sessed the power, to save our lives, without putting Great Britain to the trouble and expense attendant upon a war. To me personally he was extremely kind, and from the time of our imprisonment at Magdala until the day of his death, in October, 18G7, we kept up a regular correspondence. He never grudged giving an English captive a dollar, either before or after my arrival in Abyssinia, and he would readily have shared his last penny with such an one, if he knew him to be in want. His character has been shamefully maligned by individuals who really knew nothing about him, who, nevertheless, have given currency to slanders which are utterly without foundation. He has been reproached with being a merchant, a broker, and a banker ; but when the circumstances whereon those charges rest are inquired into, it will be seen that they involved no discredit either to him personally or to his sacred office. The Abiina, in addition to his special duties as Metropolitan, is the guardian or trustee of a large number of monasteries, churches and schools, and as the tithes to these and all similar institutions in the country are paid in kind, the only way in which the grain, wax, ivory and gold can be dis[)Osed of is by barter, money being very scarce in Abyssinia. Hence, if the grain collected in Tigre is required toward.-; a contribution in Chalga, it must be exchanged for other articles marketable in that locality, and the Bishop issues instructions to his agents accordingly ; or, supposing Massowah to offer a better market, the trans- action is ordered to be carried on there. Abiina Salama generally fed all the poor in the districts through which he
Chap. XX[. THE AliUNA SALAMA. 195
travelled on his visitation-tours, and saw to the repair of the churches, as far as the means at liis disposal would allow. It is quite true that he lent money to a number of distressed Europeans, but it is equally true that he never charged interest on such loans; moreover, some of those wliom lie had befriended in that way finally left the country without repaying: him, and never sent any remittance afterwards, in liquidation of their pecuniary obligation to him. While we were at 3Iagdala, the late prelate supplied many a needy prisoner witli money, and clothed a number of widows and orphans. Towards the last, however, he became so poor himself — the King having deprived him of all his resources — that he was obliged to apply to me for the cash which he had asked me to remit to Aden on his account. At the outset he wiis strongly prejudiced against Samuel, regarding him as a " dangerous man," whom it would be sheer madness to trust ; but. on further acquaintance with him, he began to suspect that he had done the man an injustice by listening to the slanders of those who were envious of his position and influence. Eventually, the two b.ciime bosom friends; during his illness the Bishop always sent for Samuel to keep him company, and when the unfortunate prelate brrathcd his last, Samuel was sitting by his side.
lieforo his death, the Abuna begged to see Dr. Blanc, hoping that thr skill ol' an Mnglisli nirdical man niiglit benefit him. The Commandant niul all tlic members of the Council af'cordingly came to me in a body to ask whether I would allow the Doctor to visit the Father of thrir Church. IMy belief is that they woidd have been glad had I refused, and they perhaps thought that 1 >lii)iil<l do so on tjie seore of the distance — the AbAna's house was about four hundred yards from ours — wliieh Blaiie would lia\e to traverse, in rliains.
O 2
196 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXL
However, as my companion expressed his readiness to under- take the task, I told the Chiefs tliat he would walk over and see the patient. Thereupon they retired beyond our inclosure, and after discussing the grave responsibility of permitting a meeting between the Bishop and any of our party, contrary to the express orders of the King, they returned to say that they must decline acceding to the solicitations of their ]Metropo- litan ; they agreed, however, to allow the royal native practi- tioner to consult Dr. Blanc about his disease, and to act upon Ills advice. After this, the poor man began to sink gradually, and died on the 25th of October of general debility, brought on by vexation and anxiety. He appointed me his executor before he expired, and I promised to do my best in that capacity, provided the duty involved no reference whatever to the King ; but as the latter had already appropriated all the poor man's jjroperty, my office as executor was little more than nominal.
While we were at Magdala together, the Abuna wished very much to see me, and some of our night-guards offered to bring him to me by stealth ; but I declined the proposal as often as it was made, judging that it would bo indiscreet to imperil onr common safety for the sake of a short interview, however gratifying the meeting might have been to both parties. The King, there can be no doubt, would have gone almost mad with rage had it come to his knowledge that we had ever met. With respect to the ]3ishop's quarrel with Theodore, all that can be fairly urged against the former is, that he stood up in defence of what he conceived to be the rights of the Church ; and that, as the spiritual head over all tlie Abyssinians, the Sovereign included, he deemed it his l»onnd(^n duty to n^monstrato with his JMaJesty, whenever he knew him to bo guill y of treachery or crucltv. On the King's
Chap. XXI. THK AUTHOll'S (.IIALNS LIGHTENED. 197
approach to 3Iagcliila, I sent and begged him to say nothing which niiglit irritate his Majesty's peevish temper, and to do all in his j)0\ver to conciliate him. Plis reply was, " My son, I am ready to do all that you may require of me in this matter; I will even carry a stone on my neck, and, bearing that token of humiliation, will kneel and kiss the ground before the Kinfj:. But it will be of no use : the man is cfoiuir from bad to worse, and is beyond recovery."
My friendship with the ^lagdahi authorities increased from day to day, until there was nothing that they would not have done for my comfort and that of my fellow-captives, provided they could do it with immunity. Ras Kidana ]\raryam spon- taueou.sly undertook to make an alteration in my chains, by substituting a ring in the centre of its length, instead of one of the links, thinking that thereby I should be able to walk more easily. I objected to the proposal, on the ground that if carried out it might displea.so the King. The Kas, who was then in my room with all the other members of Council, imme- diately rejdied : " 3[r. Eassam, if we thought that the change suggested wouM ollind his jMojcsty, you may rest assured we should not have dared to make it ; therefore, you must let us follow our own bent in this matter." When the new rings were nuide, I found that they were twice as heavy as the old links, which I c(jnscquently begged to be allowed to retain. They were all" ruards nia^le lighter however, and weirdie"! just hall" a ]i(»un<l hss than the ori- ginal links, and as they also increaseil the length vi' the chain four inches, I wjis able to take a longer stridi' in walk- ing. I then begged that a similar <hange might be efi'ected in l>i. I>hincand Lieutenant Prideaux's fetters, hoping that eventually the remainder (tf our fellow -cajjtives might share in the l.iMMi. At lir.>t, the Chiefs promised to do all they
198 LIB^E AT MAGDALA. Chai-. XXL
could to accede to the request, but after meeting in council three times to discuss the matter, they came to the conclusion that by granting the same concession to my companions they might incur the King's displeasure, with the additional risk that his ]\Iajesty might order their chains to be made more unbearable than they were before. It was discovered afterwards that the Chiefs had not acted \\holly on their own responsibility in this instance, the King having sent them ex[)re.ss instructions to render my imprisonment as light as possible in every respect. It was owing to a similar order that I was allowed to have a separate room, and was not to be guarded at night, like my fellow-captives, who were all condemned to sleep in one apartment, and to be strictly watched. Fortunately, the Chiefs were well-disposed from the outset, and did what they could to alleviate the restric- tions imposed upon my fellow-captives. They felt that they might stretch a point in favour of Dr. J>lanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, who were my associates in the Mis- sion, while I was regarded as the King's "friend;" but with respect to the other captives, who had formerly been lodged in the common jail, and were generally called the " enemies of Theodore," they felt bound to keep up a certain show of enforcing the prison discipline of the fortress. AYith the exception of a few months, therefore, before the end of our captivity, when the Chiefs became somewhat more ven- turesome, and allowed me to build a separate apartment for Consul Cauuiron and another for 3[r. Stern, wliich they were pcniiitt<(l to occupy without a watch being set over them, tliose two gentlemen, together with Mr. Rosenthal, were obliged to live in one room day and night, under a guard. Prior to that, the Chiefs had given their consent to my erect- ing a couple of huts for Mr. Kerans and Signer Pietro ;
Chap. XXI. ABYSSINIAN OFFICIALISM. 199
but tliese they were only allowed to inhabit during the ilay, and were compelled to sleep in the kitcheu, where they were watched by a guard. To my repeated solicitations that this restriction might be removed, I received one and the same answer — that it was impossible. Eventually, Mr. Kosenthal also was allowed to live with his wife in a separate hut, with- out being watched during the night ; but when the King came to Magdala, he ordered us all, without any exception, to be guarded in our rooms at night-time. The order was soon rescinded as regards myself and the members of the Mission ; but thereafter Messrs. Stem, Rosenthal and Pietro hud to sleep in one room, with a guard. Consul Cameron and Mr. Kerans would also have been obliged to share it with them hail nut the Cliiet's, on my representation that the Consul was unwell and required some one to be near him, iiUowod them to occupy their own huts, whicii v/ere to be watched on the outside only during the night.
No officials in the world can surpass the Abyssinians in red-tapism and [lunctilious adherence to routine. Shortly after our incarceration I instructed Saiuuel to assist my fellow-captives generally in all their requirements, and authorized him to use my name whenever ho had to refer to the Chiefs on their behalf. Nevertheless, on every such occasion, they insisted on his stating positively whether he was sent by me, alleging that on no other ground couM they justify their compliance with his requests, in tlie event of question by the King. One day Samuel fell into dire disgrace for asking their sanction to build an extra hut, without having previously received express directions from mo to that effect. !My apology in hi- defence — that I had empowere I him to ask for what was necessary — was of no avail ; thenceforward, th(^ (.'hiefs n^fused to listen to his
200 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
applications, unless lie was attended by one of my inter- preters.
Having already related how our respective quarters were allotted, I shall proceed to describe what mine was when first made over to me. It was a round hut — more like a barn than a dwelling — twelve feet in diameter, constructed of branches of trees, with a straw roofing, and was still being used as a kitchen by two native families on our arrival at Magdala. As the fire-places were in the centre of the room, and there was no other vent for the smoke but through the crevices of the walls, the whole interior was begrimed with soot. The floor had never been levelled, and was furrowed here and there to make stands for water- jars. In fact, every part of the place was wretched and filthy in the extreme. One of my first cares was to make my prison-house tidy. Then, in order to get rid of the dust and soot which fell from the thatch whenever there was a strong breeze, I caused the old roof to be replaced by a new one, in which work the Abyssinian soldiers, who were always ready to assist the humblest prisoners, lent me a helping hand. Eventually, I had the whole structure pulled down, and a better room erected on the site, which I con- tinued to occupy until the arrival of the British force. There was one great inconvenience, however, beyond effectual remedy. The ground where our general quarters were located was so low and soft, that when the rains began the water oozed through the floor in all directions, despite all my efforts to divert it by having trenches dug round all the huts, and the inclosure well drained. The floor of my room, in particular, \\m always as yielding as mud, although I took the precaution of having it laid with rubble; and the water which collected in the trenches made to convey it to
Cmai'. XXI. SANITARY A'l'l'EMrTS. 201
the inuiu drain occasionally flowed day and night, as if issuing from a spring.
I was not successful, however, in my eftbrts to keep the general inclosure clean, which was invariably so filtliy that the Chiefs frequently complained to me of the state in which it was allowed to remain. At first, I imder- took tlie office of sanitary inspector myself, but was obliged to relinquish it on Samuel's representation that it would lower nie in the estimation of the natives. I then ap- pointed the interpreters to see that the public walks were swept, and kept clear of all nuisances. But the opposi- tion which they encountered neutralized all their efforts. Next, I trieil the doorkeeper, who were charged to insist that all rubbish should be carried to the edge of the plateau and thrown over the precipice; but the arrangement gave rise to so many .squabbles that I finally commissioned Aito Samuel to try his hand at the duty. He was eminently successful at the outset, by dint of an indiscriminate use of the whip, but on my strictly forbidding any such treatment of a female he resigned the task, saying, " How can I effect what you wish, when you will not allow me, after our own custom, to flog the women, who are as obstinate as mules, to nuike them do their work properly ? " I never allowed a domestic of mine to have a hut within the inelo.sure of my house, or any Abyssinian male or female servants to Htuy there. ^Vhellever the latter were employed on any special work <luring the day, I insi.sted on their (putting the premises at night. !My Indian servants slept in the kitchen, as it was unadvisable that they should sleep beyoud iho inclosure, where tiny might have g(tt into .some alVray uith the luitives.
The aiimxed plan, in i <»njujii'tioii with the subjoined refer-
DESCRIPTION OF TLAX.
Darlcest Ground. Formerly Ras I'ngSdil's residence. Tlils was tlic first locality allotted to the captives. Jt then comprised huts A and 15 only. The surrounding fence was removed when llie Uijltlcr yround was iittachi d ; as was also the fence round C, D, K
Lighter (irouyid. IJi-longed to Kit-awrari Gabrie. AUoltod by Theodore to Mr. Rassam and his servants, and Alto .Samuel. The double outUue of tlie three huts, C, 1), E, shows the original size and subsequent enlargement.
Lightest Ground. Additional space eventually granti il by the .MagdaUi Chiefs for tlic accom- modation of the captives.
Chap. XXI. QL'ARTEKS OF THE CAPTIVES. 203
ences, shows the location of the captives, and the different changes which were made in their respective quarters from time to time, from our first arrival at Magdala until our liberation.
As regards furniture, the members of the Mission had, luckily, lost nothing necessary to comfort. We had our own bedsteads, bedding, chairs and tables, and the King had provided us with carpets ; but the old captives, who had been bereft of everj'thing, were in a far less enviable plight in that respect. Even they, however, had it in tlieir power to make themselves comfortable. As to food, all fared alike : all were well supplied with what the country afforded, and enjoyed a privilege above the natives of the place generally, for on several occasions, w lun certain articles were scarce in the market, the Chiefs directed that we should share what was procurable with the purveyors for the royal household. We made our own bread, always used table-cloths, and some- tinjes naj)kins, and never sat down to dinner, barring the first few days alter our arrival, without beginning with soup,
DISTRIBUTION OF HUTS.
A. Kitdicii. J. Consul Cnmcrnn.
B. Ur<'U|iit'<l l)y nil the rnptivrs for K. Mr. Ktrnns.
n w.fk ; tliin hy .^I.-ssr.s. Cuint- l Sifji.or I'i.tro. Ih-n- Tliooilore'a
ron, Stern mid IJosentlml : then rcinuius w.ro cl.iM>Mt(<l until iii-
l.y tho lnlt.r alonr. Fnially l.y t.-rred on Hth April. 18(^8.
Me.sxrs. Stai'Tcr, IJniiulfis.Scliill- ,, ., , ,, , ,
,, ,, 1 At ..,1 . M. Consul Cnnicron !) .-<rvnnta. < r, l^.•^^ll(•r and Macriiire, wliiu
Mr. Ho.sentiial removed to D. N. Mcw.srs. SU-m and Ho^onllmr.s
C. Mr. luiM.snni.
_ ,, ■ 1 .1 4 1 w- ..1 ti 0.\ Dr. Blanc ami Lieut. t'ridtau.KS
D. Ocoupud nrst by Niniuel; then > .
by tl.e Int.Tpr^tors ; lantly by ^- ' "crvanis.
Mr. iin.l Mm. Kosnitlial. ^Q- Ouard-riKmi.
E. Dr. IJlnncand Li.ut. I'litlcaux. |R. Kntranco of tho first locality.
P. HnmuerH oflldal room. S. Kntranco of tlio enlnrg. d indo-
8uro.
0, Snniiit I'h Iljing, or Female K«tab-
li^thnicnt. H. Samuors rt>c(pti<)n-room.
1. Mr. StiTii. I Uio i-oftfjt of till! hut.s,
'"'•''""■"*■ Tho blaok dot.s in A. <;. H. njiro-
H. Samuors rt>C(pti()n-room. wnt tho wtKKlon pillar.M hupimrting
204 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
which was occasionally followed by fish ; then two or four entrhs, then a joint, then a pudding or tart, winding up. with anchovy-toast, or cream-cheese — the latter made by our Indian servants. In lact, a millionnaire could not have lived better than we did, under similar circumstances. My two associates in the Mission, Consul Cameron, Mr. Stern and I boarded together till the beginning of 1867, when Mr. Cameron and Dr. Blanc preferred messing each in his own hut. Lieut. Prideaux, Mr. Stern and I shared the same table until we w-ere liberated. As to pecuniary and other means of living, we were much on a par, with the excep- tion of those whom I had to support on the public account, as distressed Euro]3eans. Whenever funds reached me from the coast, or by any other route, the amount was divided according to the requirements of each.
Not one of the captives can justly complain that his im- prisonment, during my time, was aggravated by privations. It is true that we were fettered, to our no small discomfort ; but our worst trials consisted in mental anxiety, protracted for nearly two years ; in the ever-present consciousness that our lives hung upon a thread ; that a mere caprice on the part of the ruthless despot who hold us in his grasp might lead him to order us to be mutilated, or to be Imrled headlong from that fatal precipice, where hundreds as innocent as we were had met an untimely end. These fears w-ere shared alike by all, and mine, I need hardly say, were intensified by a weight of responsibility which at times quite overpowered me.
The task of entertaining public guests, whose interest it was desirable to secure for the common benefit of all the captives, was undertaken by Samuel, to whom I had intrusted it since our first arrival at tlie Court of Theodore. Being a
Chap. XXT. ENTERTAINMENT OF GUESTS. «JOG
native of tho country, and holding a recognised position with the King, Samuel was the fittest person available to discharge the important functions which such hospitality involved in our case. My personal assistance in that respect was chiefly limited to receiving visitors, in w hich occupation I was often engaged for six hours at a stretch, and few can conceive how irksome tho duty was. As a rule, I offered every guest a cup of coflfee, and one or two small glasses of arrack — when I had a supply of the latter on hand; but tij 1 never allowed to be brought into my room until towards the end of 18G7, when I was advised to give it to my Abyssinian visitors, in order to cultivate a closer intimacy with them. The first time I permitted it to bo introduced was when an attack on Magdala was tln-eatened by several rebel Chiefs, at wliich juncture the local authorities used to assemble in my house to discuss the matter among themselves, and to settle certiiin disputes which Iiad arisen between some of the inferior Chiefs. It was a time when policy demanded that I should humour them as niu<li as possible ; for our prospects then, for good or for evil, depended in a great measure on tlie part they might take for or against us. Tin's course was fully appre- ciated by my associates in the Mission, for on one occasion when our funds were very low, I consulte 1 thom about stopping the allowance to Samuel to provide ti'j for j)ublic guests, and we unanimously agreed tliat it would bt^ most unwise to make the retrenchment. I'ainfnl as was my captivity in Mugclala, it would have been intolerable but for the society of genial companions. Dr. J>lanc and j\[r. Prideaux were always ut h.md iind nudy to cooperate towards tlie common welfare of our little community, espe- cially in times of diniculty and danger. The Ilev. Messrs. Stern and Rosenthal, as well as nfhcr of inv fcllow-capf ives,
206 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
were never backward to contribute to the same end. Mr. "Waldmeier, also, one of the most favoured of the King's European artisans, did us many a goorl turn. On our depar- ture from Debra Tabor for Magdahi, Theodore sent to inform me that if we wished to leave anything behind, My. Wald- meier would take charge of it, and that he had further directed that gentleman to act as my agent, after we reached the fortress. I accordingly availed myself of the King's offer, and Mr. Waldmeier frequently obtained money for us from his friends at Gaffat, against bills drawn on Europe, procured for us other necessary supplies, aided our messen- gers, and did all in his power to serve us until he and his fellow-artisans fell under the royal displeasure, in the begin- ning of 1867. On one occasion when the King heard that Mr. Waldmeier was sending me five hundred dollars— it was at a time when the roads to the fortress were unsafe — his Majesty took the money and sent me an order for the amount on the Magdala Treasury. I have much pleasure in bearing my grateful testimony also to Mr. llad's unwearied exertions in our behalf, and especially for having kept me informed, even at the risk of his life, of the King's movements — in- telligence which often pointed the clue what measures should be taken for the common safety. Isolated as we were from all other sources of aid from without, such exordial sympathy was like a silver lining to the dark cloud which perpetually hung over our prison-house at IMagdala.
My evening visitors were for the most part ladies, the wives either of the local magnates, or of the attainted political Chiefs, who came to me from tlie native prison with news of their husbands. They \\ere not over clean, so that it was no great jdeasure to sit near thciii; but their sweet voices — Abyssinian ladies of rank are remarkable for soft-
Chap. XXI. LADY-VISITORS. 207
ness of speech — and kindly sympathy alleviated my other- wise wearisome existence. They never entered the room without glancing at my fetters, and breathing a sigh of condolence ; whilst the wives of the political prisoners encouraged mo to bear my lot with fortitude, and not to forget the mercy of God, who had implanted an extraor- dinary affection for me in the breast of their Sovereign— a man bereft of every other trace of humanity. " Except that you are fettered," they would say, " your imprisonment, and that of your brother captives, is bliss compared with what our husbands have to endure; for if, in addition to vonr fetters, you were encumbered as they are with hand-chains fastened to your feet, life would be intolerable to you. Ask your brothers who were incarcerated in the native prison before you came, and they will tell you the difference between their circumstances now and what they were then." A ]>hotogra]ihic album which I iiad with me was a source of great interest to these lady-visitors. They often sent for it on their return home, in order to show it to their friends, and it was sometimes retained for a fortnight together. I alwavs lent it on condition that the portraits were not to be touched, t'ud that those who undertook to exhibit them sliould previously wash their hands. These injunctions must have been obeyed most scrupuhnisly ; for although the book was externally the worse for wear, not one of the portraits was soiled. While at Magdahi 1 received the carte of a lady-t'ricnd of mine in England, and as soon as the fact became known the new "pi<-ture" was in great request on all sides. Concluding that it was a portrait cither of my wife or my betrothed, these simple, good-hearted souls shed many a tear over it, and kissing it would say, "Oh, did you not weep when you lieard that Mi\ Kossum was in chains? ^lav the Lord
208 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXT.
comfort yon ! " Even the Chiefs were so ftnid of looking at this portrait that, to be rid of their importunity, I eventually fixed it to a pillar in my room.
A plentiful downpour in the monsooij suffices to provide the garrison of Magdala with water the whole year round ; but as very little rain fell dnrinir the last two years of our captivity, the inhabitants generally suffered from drought. A hollow near the common jail, which used to be well replenished at the rainy season, and which served to supply the royal household throughout the summer with sufficient water for culinary purposes, as well as for making mead and beer, Mas nearly dry towards the end of 1867. Water is more abundant in the adjoining plateau of Salamge, where there are two perennial streamlets, whenever the monsoon rains fall copiously. These also ceased to flow about the same time, and the wells had to bo deepened before a supply could be obtained from them. The wells connected with the Mission stabling, which was situated below a cliff" about twenty feet high, were considered the best in Salamge. The stables were eventually appropriated by the King, and converted into a jail, and this locality was the scene of that general slaughter of the native prisoners which took place on tiie nth of April, 18(58, by order of the inhuman UKmareh. Most of the victims, on being thrown over the ledge of rock, fell first into our wells, from whence they were barbarously dragged by the soldiers, and then hurled down a much steeper precipice.
The soil and climate of Magdala are favourable to vegeta- tion ; but the great diawback is scarcity of water for irri- gation during the hot season. Soon after our arrival there, 1 (»l)tained a l'(;\v lonialo shools from an Egyptian in the King's service, and |»lante(l them in front of my hut. In the
Chap. XXI. SOIL AN1> CLIMATE. 21)9
course of a month they grew up like a vino ; in a few weeks more tliey formed an arbour large enough to shelter half-a- dozen persons, and, eventually, the luxuriant tendrils covered the entire frontage of the room. The most extraordinary feature was, tliat tliey bore fruit all the year round, wliicli enabled us to indulge in the luxury of tomato soup and cutlets. Subsequently, I sowed a quantity of the seed, and distributed the plants among the natives of the place. These thrived so well that just before the invading British force reached Magdala, tomatoes were so abundant that we did not know how to dispose of them. One of the jilants measured eighteen feet and a half in length.
Green peas sprung up in front of my house eight ft^et five inches higli. Potatoes also throve well ; the beet and long radish were rather hard ; the turnip-radish grew too fast, and became spongy a fortnight after the seed was sown. Almost all herbs flourished, as also several kinds of lettuce ; French beans succeeded better than any other vegetable. As I fullv expected, when we were sent to ]\Iagdala, that we should remain there some time, I wrote to Colonel Merewetlu-r at Aden for a supjjly of seeds, smiling to myself as I did so at the idea wliich the request might convey — that I int(nided to make the {)lace my abode for an indelinitc period. However, I was not deterred by any such rcfitction, knowing that if we did not use the seeds ourselves, we might have thcni behind us for the benefit of the country. The seeds came to hand in due course, and were sown ; and not only did we eat of the pnMluce, but obtained fresh seeds from them, which we should have sown in turn, and again have partaken of the i'ruit. had not the scarcity of water discouraged the atfcinpt.
One of my greatest sources of amusement, and one which aflorded me real jdcasure during our cajitivity, wa-^ to kee[»
VOL. II. r
210 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XX f.
open liouso for the beautiful little birds to be found at Mag- dala. A few casual visitors at the outset, venturing up to tlie door in quest of crumbs, were induced by a scattering of Uf grain to repeat the call, bringing companions with them of several other species. The entertainment provided for tlieui was so much appreciated, that in less than a month there were from fifty to sixty of these pretty creatures, of various hues and colours, warbling in my arbour all day long. They generally came to feed in batches, and as one party left it was succeeded by another, beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset, wlicn all sped away to their respective roosts. How I envied their freedom ! The ungrateful little things deserted me at harvest time, when they found abundant pro- vision elsewhere ; but, as water at Magdala became scarce, they recommenced their calls, evidently in search of it. I accordingly had a trough made for them, and in less than a week the drinking far outnumbered my eatiug guests, and among the former were several new sjjecies that fed on flies and insects, none of which had visited me before. They seemed to enjoy bathing even more than drinking, for on a hot day there was quite a scuffle among tlioni \\hich should have the first dip. The Abyssinians, who have a strong prejudice against washing themselves, used to be highly amused at the scene, and I generally took the opportunity of suggesting that the example was one which they might imitate with advantage. Among tlic birds Avere two hand- some species which changed their })lumage at different seasons of the year, the feathers assuming a variety of the most lovely hues during the transition — I counted as many as eiglit just as the change began. Another of my visitors, not larger than a goldfinch, was arrayed in red. 'i'hese used to come In dozens, and after narrowly watching their habits for some
Chap. XXI. BIRDS. 211
time, I noticed a peculiar instinct in them which greatly- amused me. Wiien a male loses his mate and is on the look- out for another, he seizes a wisp of straw, or a twig, and hops about with it in his beak among the fraternity, as an indica- tion that he is a widower in want of a consort. On one occa- sion, there was evidently a widow present who was similarly- situated. The fact was soon apprehended by the widower, who proceeded forthwith to woo her, which he did by simply dropping the twig at her side. Her consent was unmistake- able, for she immediately joined him and both sped away on their honeymoon. As my occupations generally were duly reported to the King, my amusements also did not fail to reach his ears, and he seemed highly interested in my feathered visitors; for, whenever the couriers were charged to convey my respects to him, the first question he asked, if he chanced to be in a good humour, was, " How are Rassam's children ? " — meaniug my pet birds.
When I became tolerably well acquainted with the dif- ferent classes of people at Mugdala, I was surprised to find tliat a great number of the more intelligent soldiers of the garrison were well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, knowing many passages by heart, and understanding their true import. They had accordingly abandoned the 8U})orstitious doctrines and ceremonies of their own church, and adhered simply to what they called the " Creed of the Bible," or, in other words, Protestantism. These results were due to the mis- sionary efforts of the Kev. Mr. Stern, in 1.SG5, when he was fir.>t sent as a prisoner to ]\Iagdala. It appears that during iiis incarceration he never lost an opportunity of imparting Scripture truth to such of the guard as were willing to listen to him. The subjects of his discourses, and the texts of Iloly Writ which he adduced by way of confirmation, were after-
r 2
•212 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
wards discussed by his hearers at their own homes, and even- tually they arranged to meet together once a week, in a private house, to peruse the Scriptures, referring to Mr. Stem to explain any difficulty whieli arose in their minds in the course of these readings. Their champion in the fortress was Ba=?ha Neguse, a devout Christian, and, by all accounts, a man wlio led a most exemjilary life. He was shot acci- dentally at the storming of Magdala on the 13th of April, 1868, as has been already stated.
The private meetings above described had been discon- tinued before my arrival at the Amba, but the movement was kept up by Basha Neguse and several of his zealous colleagues, who used to go publicly from house to house preaching the Gospel to those who were disposed to re- ceive it. The priests did all in their power, by threats of excommunication and other ecclesiastical penalties, to arrest the good work, but as none lieeded their menaces, they eventually appealed to Eas Bisawwir, the Commandant, to prohibit the promulgation of the doctrines of the Francliotsh in the fortress. The only reply tbey received from the bluff Chief was, that as soon as it came to liis knowledge that the parties complained of taught anything contrary to the Word of God, he would certainly put a stop to their pro- ceedings ; in the mean time, however, he advised the priests to try and imitate the piety of Basha Neguse, for whom he had a gicat regard. Of course, a considerable number of the petty Chiefs and soldiers who attended the lectures of their devout countrymen did not wholly abjure the false tenets in which they had been brought up ; nevertheless, many of them so far profited by the truths inculcated that they endeavoured to lead a more moial life, and, as a first step in that direction, married their wives according to the
Chap. XXI. PROSELYTES FROM ISLAM. 213
solemn rites of tlie Church, In consequence of this reform, the ]\ragdala garrison, made up of men from all parts of the country, comprised twice the number of duly wedded couples that were to be found in any of the most populous towns of Abyssinia. I give this statement on the best native authority.
During our stay at Magdala, no less than eight of the Mussulman servants of the Mission embraced Christianity. Of these, the only conscientious convert was 'Omar 'Ali ; a love affair, or a desire to be reckoned among the members of the dominant community, were the chief motives which induced the others to abjure Islam. Their consequent duties and privileges as proselytes to the Abyssinian Church may be summed up as follows: — The hair of their heads was shaved, and a priest besprinkled them with a few drops of water; besides which, they were allowed to wear the " Mateb " — a cord made of blue silk, worn round the neck by Abyssinian Christians, to distinguish them from their non-Christian countrymen. They were never to address prayers to God in Arabic, or to praise Him in that language ; and they were expressly forbidden to partake of meat slaughtered by ]\Ioharamedans. Of course, their conversion necessitated a change of name : 'Omar was turned into Guargis — George ; ]\Ioliammed into Gabra-Yasus — the Man of Jesus ; 'Ali into Wald-Salasse — the Child of the Trinity; 'Amir into Wald-Maryam — the Child of Mary ; and so forth. As the Abyssiniuns, however, never call a man simply George, or I'cter, or John, without the prefix *'Wald" or "Gabra," Samuel's insistancc that 'Omar-'Ali should be baptized "(iuargis," and not " Wald-Guargis," gave rise to consider- able discussion. The Chiefs accordingly met together in my house to consult the Bible, in order to discover whether it was
214 LIFE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXI.
not a sin to call an ordinary man by tlio same name as a saint, vliifh, in tlieir opinion, uas equivalent to placing saint and sinner on a par. Samuel, however, carried his point by con- tending tliat the inference would be justified if it were pro- posed to give 'Omar 'Ali the name of " Saint George " — al- though it w^as quite possible, he argued, that the convert might hereafter attain to that dignity. Most of the prose- lytes having expressed a \\isli to receive Christian instruc- tion, the Eev. Mr. Stern appointed certain days in the week to catechize them.
Divine Service, according to the ritual of the Emrlisli Church, was celebrated in my room every Sunday during our captivity at Magdala, by the Rev. Mr. Stern, one or two Sundays only excepted, when that gentleman was too ill to officiate. The Abyssinians always behaved with decorum, and never interrupted us while we were at prayers. On more than one occasion, royal couriers arrived with messages from the King, while we were so engaged, but they waited at Samuel's house until the conclusion of the service before seeking to communicate with me.
Those who do not wish to bieak the continuity of the narrative may reserve perusing the succeeding chapter until they reach the conclusion of this volume.
Chap. XXII. ABYSSINIAN MARRIAGES. 215
CHAPTER XXII.
MARRIAGE AND ETIQUETTE.
Abyssinian marriacjcs — Marriage according to the rites of tbe National Cliurch — How dissolved — Infidelity of the husbands — Continence of wives married sacramentally — Tlieodorc's canonical marriage with the daughter of Ras 'All — Obliges Mr. Boll to follow his example — His marriage with the daughter of Dajjfij Oobe — He gets tired of her — Marries Itamanyo, the wife of a Mussulman Galla — Itamanyo's con- version and devotion — Secondary marriages — Tliird-degree marriages — Native etiquette — " Girding " — The ^hdmma described — Various styles of wearing the same — Modes of Address — Etiquette in presenta- tion— In drinking — Covering the head, an insult — Privilege of priests, monks, and nuns.
In the foregoing narrative, occasional mention lias been made of first, second, and third degree marriages — a phraseo- logy Avhich I have no doubt many of my readers have been at a loss fully to comprehend. The Abyssinians are a peculiar people in many respects, and, witli regard to marriage, I believe their customs to be unitiue, and withal 80 closely interwoven with their social and domestic lite as not to be readily understood by a foreigner. The same remark applies to tlie conventional formalities which prevail among them, and to which the highest importance is at- taciied by every class of the community. As much of the subjoineel information on these two subjects was acquired during my prolonged captivity, 1 insert it here as a sequel to uiir ' Life at jMdgdala.'
The most binding marriage with the Abyssinians con-
216 MAP.RIAGE AND ETIQUETTE. Crap. XXTI.
sists cf an interchange of vows between the bridegroom and bride, confirmed by their jointly partaking of the holy Eucharist; in fact, the union in this case is solemnized much in the same way as in other Christian Churches. Here, liowever, as elsewhere, certain breaches of their mutual vows by cither party dissolves the tie and ren- ders the transgressor legally obnoxious to punishment ; but as Abyssinian law in sadi matters has been disreiiarded for centuries, and IMight has taken the place of Eight, it follows that an offending husband generally escapes with impunity; so also does the guilty wife, if she happens to belong to the family of a powerful Chief. Hence, an un- principled husband, when tired of his wife, finds no diffi- culty whatever in getting rid of her ; and such repudiation is undoubtedly very common. Many cases of the kind fell under my own cognizance, and, in nearly all, the husbands were leading incontinent lives ; on the other hand, I never heard of a single instance of a wife who had been sacra- mentally married proving unfaithful to her husband, even after his repudiation of her. Most women so situated re- main single, and many become nuns. In consequence of this deplorable state of things, Abyssinian females generally entertain a great distrust of the ojiposite sex, and not one in twenty would willingly contract the more binding marriage. A case in point happened while I was at Magdala. The husband was in such dread of losing his partner, knowing that as he had been united to her by the secondary marriage only — to be described anon — she might leave him any day, that her refusal to accompany him to the altar, there to partake of the Lord's Supper with him, in token of their more indissoluble union, nearly drove him mail. The matter was eventually referred to the Abuna, my interven-
Chap. XXIT. THEODORE'S MARRIAGES. '217
tion beinff also soufrht, and after considerable trouble we overcame the obstinacy of tlie lady, and induced her to con- sent to be sacramentally joined to her love-sick lord, in the holy estate of matrimony.
The late King Tlieodore — who was devout, moral and humane, by fits and starts from boyhood to the end of his career — took it into his head, after he was crowned, to lead a virtuous life, and to imitate the Christians in the East and West by uniting himself to one wife. He accordingly espoused Tobet, the daughter of Ras 'All, and ratified the marriage by partaking with her of the holy Eucharist. On tliat occasion, moreover, he announced to the royal troops that they could not better manifest their regard for him than bv following his example in this respect ; but as the Abys- sinians are rathm- stubborn in sucli matters, he found very few proselytes among his own subjects. It is a curious fact, tluit the only person he actually compelled to do as he had done was the late Mr. Bell ; and, what is more extraordinary still, he obliged that gentleman to marry, not the wife who had already borne him four children, but another woman.
On the death of Tobet, Theodore judged it iiolitic to ally himself to the faujily of L)ajjaj Oobe — the second greatest Chief in Abyssinia whom he had overthrown — by marrying his daughter Teru-AVark, according to the solemn rites of the Church, The Dajjaj, then a prisoner in the camp of his successful rival, was almost frantic with joy on hearing that the great Theodore had espoused the young Princess — she was only twelve years old at the time — very naturally inferring that such a union would restore him to his native province of Semen, and lead to his being re-invested with the regency over 'i'igie and the nortln'rn districts. He was set at larg'- for a short period, but when Theodore had gained his
218 MARRIAGE AND ETIQUETTE. Chap. XXII.
object, be made tbe poor old man a closer prisoner than before, and althougli he repeatedly promised to liberate his sons — now tbe King's brotbers-in-law — be detained tbem in captivity at Magdala, wbere tbey were almost starved, nor were tbey released until tbat fortress fell into tbe bands of tbe Britisb.
After a year, during wbicb be Mas constant to bis new Queen, Tbeodoro became dissatisfied witb ber cbarms and temper, and reverted to bis former j»ractice of making any woman bis wife to wbom be took a fancy. He allowed no religious scruples or any otber considerations wbatever to interfere witli tbe gratification of bis passions in that parti- cular. It signified little to bim wbetber tbe bride elect was married or single. If the busband objected, be could easily be intimidated into compliance ; if not, there were summary modes of chastising tbose who dared to stand in the way of the " Lord's Anointed." Still, I never beard of the late King having taken a Christian woman to wife during tbe lifetime of ber busband ; but be observed no such moderation towards Mussulmans. Itamanyo, who was bis favourite Itege, or Empress, while I was in Abyssinia, was tlio wile of a 'Mo- hammedan of the Yadjow Gallas. From the accounts which reached bim of ber beauty, be ordered ber to be brouglit to his Court, and prevailed on her to embrace Christianity, while tbe hapless liusband was glad to eifect bis escape in order to avoid the alternative of losing his life or alguiiug his creed. Itamanyo eventually became very assiduous in the performance of her religious duties, and spent much time in reciting prayers. The Abyssinians, like the Roman Catholics, use rosaries in their devotions, and, as a matter of course, the Queen adojjted tbe same practice. Tin's was scarcely a novelty to her, since Mohammedans generally use
Chap. XXII. SECOND-KATE MARRIAGES. 219
a similar though much longer chaplet, but without any symbol attached, called a 3IusbaJiah, each bead serving the devotee as a tally in his enumeration of the names and attributes of God. Being unable to find a suitable rosary, Itamanyo applied to me, through Samuel, to assist her in procuring one. I accordingly directed a native craftsman to make a string of silver beads, with a large cross of the same metal appended, and had it presented to her. According to Abyssinian canon law, no man can contract a second sacra- mental marriage during the lifetime of a former w ifo, whether she be divorced from him or not. But for this prohibition — his wife Teiu-Wark being still alive — there can be no doubt that Theodore would have ratified his union witli Itamanyo by wedding her according to the ritual of the Church.
In what, for want of a more appropriate designation, I call the "Secondary" or "Second-rate jMarriage" among the Abyssinians, the contracting parties simply swear, in the ])resenco of two witnesses, that they will live together as husband and wife. This bond may be dissolved at any time by mutual consent ; in that case, the wife is entitled to retain whatever property she possessed before wedlock, as also any presents which she may have received from her husband (luring coverture, unless a stipulation to tlie contrary was agreed to by both sides, on their union. Most Abyssinian marriages arc of this sort, and the generality of the respect- able classes so wedded live together as husband and wife until separated by death, few only among them reverting to the subordinate or third-defjree marriaire.
Tliis last is little better than concubinage. The contract- ing parties merely engage to cohabit during pleasure, and while so living are regarded as hu.sband and wile. The children of such unions, however, have an equal right of
220 MAREIAGE AND ETIQUETl^E. Chap. XXIT.
inheritance with the offspring of first- and second-rate mar- riages. The national Church, indeed, recognizes only tlie first as valid ; but the laity as a rule set all ecclesiastical law in such matters at defiance. Hence, a wealthy Abyssinian Christian, wlio is debarred by the two higlier degrees of wedlock from having more than one wife, may nevertheless have as many third-rate wives as ho pleases, and cohabit with them simultaneously. In the course of my inquiries into these matrimonial customs, and the laws affecting inheritances among this peculiar people, I applied to tlie Abuna to aid me in the research. His reply was, " My son, you have asked me questions Avhicli I am unable to answer. This only I can tell you; Abyssinian marriages, with few exceptions, are so abominably revolting that the issue are all bastards."
With respect to etiquette — the remaining subject to be treated of in this short chapter — the Abyssinians are most punctilious. In fact, their adherence to conventional for- malities is extreme, and may be regarded as the offspring of that admixture of barbarism and civilization which characterizes tlieir social, religious, and political economy. It is confined to no class, and pervades all tlie relations of private and public life. The style in whicli a superior shoTild address an inferior, and vice versa, is with them a point of the highest importance; so much so, that the meanest peasant will stand upon his dignity in that parti- cular. In rank, tlio King of course occupies the liigliest place; next in order is the Abuna, or Metropolitan; but both claim to be addressed in the third person plural, whicli is the highest fin-mula. When speaking to each other, how- ever, the Sovereign assumes the subordinate position of "son" towards the Prelate *' father." The latter also addresses the
Chap. XXII. " GIRDING." 221
former in the second person singular; whereas the King is bound to address the head of the Church as " they." Further, according to tlie letter of the ceremonial law, the Sovereign should gird himself in the presence of tlie Abuna — a token of deference which the latter is not expected to imitate. Whether this arises from the fact that the Metropolitans, being always Copts from Egypt, never adopt the Abys- sinian costume and consequently do not wear the loose native outer robe, I am unable to say with certainty. When the King and the Abuna enter the same room, tlie former may not be seated before the latter. Nevertheless, in all such observances, Theodore followed his own inclinations, and treated the Bishop accordingly. If in a good humour, he even condescended to kneel and kiss the Prelate's feet, in recognition of his "sonship" to the spiritual "father" of Ids people ; but if his temper happened to be rudHed at the time, he would exclaim, "Who is his father? If he is a ]ji-hop, he is a Turk notwitlistanding; whereas I am the olTspring of David and Solomon, and, withal, his Sovereign." Before proceeding further with this subject, I must explain what is meant by " girding," It refere to the different modes in which the native outer robe is worn, and involves niceties of etiquette far surpassing any connected with the ordinary salutations in vogue, either in the East or West. The robe, which is called a " Shamma," is common to all classes — the texture of course differing according to the means of the wearer. It is a long sheet of cotton clotli, (Inul)led, of native manufacture, with a broad rod stripe crossing tlie width at one end a short distance from the extremity. The size varies: one in my possession measures 30x2 yards. Thrown over the back, keeping the red stripe on the right side wliilc the utiier end is first brought over the left, then
222 MARRIAGE AND ETIQUETTP]. Chap. XXII.
thrown over tlie right shoulder, under the striped end, which Is next cast over tlie left shoulder, so as to exhibit the coloured stripe falling perpendicularly down that side, from the shoulder to the loot — such is the highest style of wearing this vestment, and one so clad, who is not obliged to re- arrange it in deference to another person, is regarded as the superior of all present on the occasion. If, in addition to these lappings and over-lappings, the wearer can manage to muffle his chin, mouth and nose in the folds, he thereby adds to his consequence. Wearing the Shdmma as above, but with the red stripes downwards, like the hem of a sldrt, is also reckoned as dignified as the style just described. When two persons of equal rank meet, they move the corner of the robe from off the left shoulder with the concealed hand, and then replace it as it was before. This, however, is not called " girding," bat " dressing." When one so clad meets a superior, to whom he is bound to pay homage — Avhether in passing him, giving him a message, or taking leave of tiiin — he must move the red stripe from off his left shoulder and arrange the folds so as to exhibit it stretching in a horizontal line from shoulder to shoulder. This is reckoned the highest degree of " girding."
The next in order, which is styled "girding at ease," because it simply indicates respect w'ithout obsequiousness or humiliation, consists in withdrawing the right arm and shoulder from under the robe. Theodore conferred upon all his European employ(5s and artisans the privilege of appear- in^ before him so girt; and on three different occasions, when his Majesty wished to make himself particidarly gracious, he received me with his right arm uncovered — a condescen- sion which he had never before manifested to any foreign official. Servants waiting on their masters, while on a
Chap. XXir. "GIRDING." 223
journey or at a grand feast, when strict ceremony is dis- j)ens('d with, or petty Chiefs in attendance upon their leader — otlier than the Sovereign — may also adopt this style.
Winding lialf the robe round the waist, tying it in front, and thin tlirowing the other end over the right and left shoulders, so as to cover the body, and yet show the gird- ing, is tlic third mode of wearing the sMmma, and denotes inferiority.
The lowest style is accomplished by taking the robe from the shoulders, winding it round the waist, tying it in a knot in front, and then tucking the ends within the girding. Every subject in the country, from the heir-apparent to the throne down to the lowest i)easant, is bound to ai)pear before the h»ove- reiffn " jrirded " in this manner. Moreover, throuffhout the JriiLith and breadth of the land, whenever a royal letter is read, or a royal message publicly proclaimed, all present must listen to the annoimcement standing, with the shdmma worn as just describcil. ilofore 1 was consigned to Magdala, no Abyssinian from a lias downwards could appear before me otherwise than in the same guise. My repeated attempts to induce visitors and others to dispense with the ceremony were always met with the objection, that it might cost the defaulter his life to disregard the Sovereign's order in that respect. On our way to Magdala, as prisoners, whenever I addressed J>itwudchid Ta<lla, the Chief of the guard, he threw the robe ofl' tho left shoulder and exposed his right arm ; but, on reaching the fortress, all the members of tho Council, with the exception of Dama-h, used to appear before me muffled u|) to the nose, regarding themselves as my warders. After it wliih-, however, they took to moving the end ol' tin- uluumna, bowing at tho same time; all the inferior Chiefs adopted the lowest style, and Damush, who vie<l with his master in his
224 MARRIAGE AND ETIQUETTE. Chap. XXII.
civility toN\ards me, always bared his right arm. When Theodore reached A'roge, on the 20th of March, 1868, he asked the ^lagdala Chiefs wliether it was true that they had muffled themselves in my presence. Fearing to tell the truth, Damash replied for his colleagues that they had all used the third style in their intercourse with me ; whereupon his Majesty abused them roundly for not having paid me greater respect than he did, since even he had always re- ceived me with his riglit arm bared. Poor Damasb, being in bad odour at the time, came in for the largest share of the royal vituperation, whereas he was the only member of the Council who had treated me with the higher tokens of defer- ence. On dismissing them, Theodore bade them go forthwith and inquire, as from him, how his "friend, Mr. Rassam," fared; adding, "I shall find out how you visit him in future."
Next in importance to girding the shdmma comes the mode of address between equals, and between superiors and inferiors. In the former case, it is optional with the parties to address one another in the second or tliird person singular ; but the latter is considered more polite, even amongst do- mestic servants and peasants. In such cases, however, a man venerable from age will address his juniors in the second person ; whereas they, out of respect for his years, address him in the third. It is discretionary with a superior to address a subordinate in either way, but the latter must always subjoin the third to the second personal pronoun, singular or plural, in addressing superiors. Theodore em- ployed the honorary style towards four persons ouly, namely, the Metropolitan, the puppet-Emperor, Dajjaj Birro, and Aito Odisso — the latter the old Chief of Dawunt, whow as burnt alive by the rebels in the month of July, 1807. The ]\Ietro-
CiiAi'. XXII. MODES OF ADDRESS. 225
poll tan, as head of the Church, addresses all indiscrimiiiutely, not excepting the Sovereign, in the singular uuinher. The corresponding etiquette among ladies is not so clearly de- fined, and, exclusive of those Lelonging to the highest cla.-s such as the wives of Eases and independent Chiefs, seems to be regulated by the age as well as the rank of the parties. Of course, a domestic servant always addresses his mistress in the third person, even if she happen to be a negres.-; ; whereas she uses the second person to^\ards him, although he may chance to be descended from a good family. The hoary head among females, however, enjoys the same privi- leges as it does among the other sex, in this respect. I was tuM that holding the position which I did in the country, the Ttege was the only personage whom I ought to address in the honorary style. The first time I was made aware of this was on hearing Samuel ask Eas Kidana Maryam, un my behalf, how his wile was. The members of the Council, Damash excepted, always addressed me as an ecpial — in the third per.<on singular, and, had I been able to speak Andiaric, i should have been expected to reciprocate the (.'ourtesy.
An infciior, in jtrc^cnting anything to a superior, sliould always convey it with liotii hands, standing the whih-, or rising a little from his seat; a superior, however, is bound by no rules in this respect. At my first meeting with the King, after my inipri>;onnient. he had a cu[> lllled with mead, of which, agreeably with the j»revailing custom, he first drank a little himself, then rose slightly from liis sitting posture and presented it to me with both hands — a conde- scension on h\< ]);irt whicli I never exjiected from the hauglity 3Ionarch.
An interior may not drink out of the same cuj) wliiih his snj)erior has used, or of the vessel iVom wliich he is about to
VOL. II. Q
22G MARRIAGE AND ETIQUETTE. Chai-. XXIL
drink ; but as the superior always expects that any beverage brought to liim should be first tasted by the domestic pre- senting it, on receiving the cup he pours a little into the hands of the latter, and after he has quaffed it the master of the house disposes of the remainder. According to the eti- quette which obtains among the higher classes, a fly or any other insect falling into the mead or beer renders the liquor undrinkable, and the cup has to be replenished.
Envelojiing the head in one's robe, even by a superior in the presence of an inferior, is considered a gross insult. This was the charge brought by the King against M. Bardel at the trial on the 15th of March, 186G. Ladies who are obliged to go abroad during the day, either walking or riding — when, in accordance with conventional usage, they generally cover their heads — are expected, out of courtesy, to uncover on meeting a superior whom they recognize ; this, however, is not obligatory. A person who has shaved his head may cover it with a kerchief or cap, which he may wear in the presence even of royalty, without a breach of etiquette. All priests are privileged to wear turbans, and monks and nuns skull-caps. In travelling, the late King Theodore allowed considerable latitude in all these conventionalities, and he went so far as to annoimce that he did not wish ladies, on passing him, to uncover their heads.
ISCC. Sept. THEODORE'S COURTESY. 227
CHAPTER XXIII.
REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA.
Thco lore's continued courtesy — He sacks Gondar — He receives her Majesty's letter sent by Mr. Flad — Sends it to the Author requesting Lini to write for the En^lisli artisans to be forwarded on from Massowali
— His letter to that effect — The Author's re})ly — Theodore rei)eats his rcijuest — The peasantry between Debra Tabor and Ma;^dala become disaffected — The Commandant of Magdala sent in chains to Debra Tubor — Tlic district of Baganieder relx;ls — Intercourse between Mag- dala and the royal camp cut off — Rumours of Theodore's having fled to Kwara — His bloodthirstiness at this time — Horrible atrocity per- petrated by a band of rebels — The outrage avenged — Theodoi'e learns a new lesson in cruelty — Honesty and fidelity of Abyssinian servants illustrated — Native agents beyond the fortress protect the messengers of the Mission — How regular intercourse was kept up between the Mission and the coast — Scheme organised for rapid intercommunication between Slagilala and Massowah — Kindness makes friends — The devotion of ^Ir. Stem's native servants — Where is Theodore? — Rival candidates for the j^ssession of Magdala — Overtures from Ahmed, the Imam of the Wcllo-Gallas — Menilek the king of Shoa's futile display
— l"he Wakshum Gobaze and his army retire on the approach of Theodore
— The Wak.slium's friendliness towards the British Expeditionary force.
In reply to tlic lung's Icttor which reached nic on the 9th of August, after our imprisonment at ^riigfhila, I sent him a few lines containing niy personal compliments, but I also commissioned the couriers to convey similar salutations to his ftLijesty from my f<Hi)w-captives. This I did as a feeler; besides, I wished him to understand that we all entertained the same sentiments towards him — in fact, that our interests v.cre idenlieal. On the ir)th of the month following, ] ro- ctived the subjoined polite note from him, wherein I was
y 2
228 EEBELLION ABOUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXHI.
glad to find that, for the first time since my arrival in the country, he deigned to notice the old captives : —
(After compliments.)
" Lih's party left in a liiiriy, and I could not answer you by them. Uow have you and your brothers [Dr. Blanc and ]\Ir. Prideaux] spent the rainy season? By the power of God, be of good cheer ; I am coming to you shortly, and we will meet.
" Since we separated, a large gun has been cast for me ; when it is finished I shall let you know.
" By the power of God, I shall not forsake yoti ; so, be of good cheer. Ask Mr. Cameron, Mr, Stern, and their parties, how tbey have passed the rainy season."
(Without date.)
To the foregoing 1 replied as follows, the day after its receipt : —
"Mdgdala, 16th Septemher, 18G6. " Most Gracious SovKRKiGJf,
" I have had the honour of receiving your courteous letter by your servants, l)asta and Kasa, and I Avas glad to learn therefrom that your Majesty was in perfect health.
" Thank God, both my companions and I have spent the rain}' season in good health, and I trust that your Majesty has passed it auspiciously. I am not a little rejoiced to find from your letter that you will soon join us here. I pray our Heavenly Father to show us the light of j'our countenance ere long in health and prosperity.
" I have also been greatly pleased to hear of your success in casting a large gun, and 1 trust that your next attempt may prove even more satisfactory to you.
" Dr. Blanc, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Cameron and his party, and Mr. Stern and his party, beg to send your Maji^sty their respect- ful compliments,"
ord Oct. — Eeceived the stores to-day wliich liad been sent on for us from Matammn, and which the King forwarded in charge of Ras I'ngada ; in fact, it was through his Majesty's intervention that the supplies had been transmitted from the
18CU. Nov. THEODORE'S COURTESY. '229
above-named place. The circumstances of the case \\ere these : — Hearing a few days before we left Zage that I was sending to [Matamma for European stores, the King imme- diately sent to ask me why I had not applied to him for assistance in the matter. He accordingly directed a petty Chalga Chief to accompany my messenger to Matamma, who was also instructed to apply to Slieikh Juma'ah to provide the requisite number of camels to convey the effects as far as Wahne, to be transported from thence to the royal camp by the subject peasantry. Before they reached the King, we had been sent to IMagdala, and the rains liaving in the mean time fairly set in, and the rivers become unford- able, his Majesty had caused the loads to be deposited in the Treasury imtil the opening of the fair season. The accom- panying messenger had also a packet of letters and some newspapers. These ho managed to keep concealed fur two months, and delivered them to us safely, together with a sum of uKjury w hieh he had obtained for our use.
During the months of October and November friendly letters and bland messages passed between the King and myself. He had so often announced his advent, that we ncnv began to regard such intimations in the same light as the hollow compliments witli whitli lie occasionally honoured us.
Hearing, towards the end of November, that certain stores had been forwarded for us from ]\Iassowah to jMatamma, and knowing that it would bo impossiblo to smuggle them through tlio intervoning districts, I tlioiight it best to seek the King's permission to send for them. Jieiiig also anxious to learn the fate of one of my messengers, wliom I had de- spatched to Massowali IVdm Zage in l^Iay, and who was rej[)ortc(l to have li. rn jiluiidered and imprisone'd I'V the
230 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIT.
rebels near Gondar, I referred that subject also to bis Majesty
in the following letter, which I sent to him, together \\ith
the men who \^■ere deputed to the several duties to be carried
out : —
"3%f?oZrt, Novembei' 29, 1866. " Most Gracious Soverkigx,
" I have the honour to inform your Majesty that 1 am neces- sitated to write to Matamma for stores, as those provisions you kindly sent me some time ago are neaily finished.
"I am sending for this purpose Garankuil, Avith a few mules, and I beg that your Majesty will give him permission \o go, and will extend to him your protection thither and back.
" I have heaid with regret that Dabtera Dasta, whom I had sent to Massowah a few months back, for the purpose of bring- ing for your Majesty some books for showing the mode of casting gims and shot, and for teaching artillery-practice, and other things, has been seized and imprisoned by the rebels while passing through ^^'aggaru.
" As I am anxious to know the facts of the case, I am sending one of my servants to the house of Dasta, at Gondar, to inquire about him, and the things he brought with him ; and I trust that your Majesty will grant him leave to proceed on his duty.
" I hope 3'our Majesty will pardon me for the liberty I am taking in sending Ilailo to convey to you this letter, and in troubling j'ou with the above matters, as I have no one in this country, except your Majesty, on whom I can rely for assistance.
" My companions, Dr. Blanc and jMr. Trideaux, also Mr. Cameron and his party, and Mr. Stern and his party, beg to send their respectful compliments to your IMajesty.
" Hoping that this letter will find you in perfect health and prosperity, I remain," &c.
Wlien my messengers reached Debra Tabor, the King had already left for Gondar, whither he luul gone to chastise a rebel who had usurped the Government there for some time. He made a sudden attack on the place, hoping to surprise the insurgents, but they had received intimation of his approach, and evacuated the place a i'ew minutes only before
1866. Nov. DESTRUCTION OF GOXDAII. 231
the royal troops surrounded it. Their escape so exasperated the foiled Monarch that he ordered the capital to be utterly destroyed, not excepting the churches, Xo resistance was oflfered : even the priests, who allowed themselves to be made prisoners, professed to be satisfied ^\ith the King's llinisy promise that he would build better churches for them. Under ordinary circumstances, the native clergy would have preached a crusade against a Sovereign who had been guilty of such an outrage upon their religion, and have had him killed or deposed ; but the miglity Theodore had effectually broken the haughtiest spirits in the country, and none dared to utter a word nr move a finger even in deprecation of liis violence.
On his return to Debra Tabor, he received my messengers well, and told them that he had laid Gondar in ruins because its inhabitants had betrayed my courier to the rebels. As to tlio stores, it was his duty, he said, to see that all my wants were provided for ; consequently, only one of my people was to proceed to Matamma with the instructions to my agent ; the remainder were to return to me, and the mules also, ind lie would undertake to have the stores forwarded from .Matamma to Magdala by his own subjects.
liefore my messengers left 1 )ebra Tabor the King received I communication from Mr. Flad, who had reached Massowali from England, transmitting to him the following copy of lier Miijesty's lett(.'r, of wliich he was the bearer: —
*• Victoria, by tho grace of God, «tc., to Theodore, King of Abyssinia, sciidoth greeting.
" Helying on the aKhiiriiiicos contained in your ^Majesty's letter of tho 29tli of January, which duly reached us, we were in daily expectation of tho arrival in England of our servant Kas.sam, together with our servant C'umoion, and the other Europeans, so 'ong detained in your country, but whom your Majesty had
232 PtEBELLIOX AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIII.
announced that you had sent with our servant Eassam. "When Fhid arrived bringing your Majesty's further letter of the 17th of April, in which, while repeating that you had released and made over to our servant Eassam, our servant Cameron, and the other Europeans, in order that they might leave the country, you stated that you had kept our servant Eassam for the sake of consulting together ujion the extension of the friendship between us. We will not disguise fi-om your Majesty that we found it difficult to reconcile your assurances with the obstacles which were still opposed to the departure of our servants and the other Europeans from your country ; but we were willing to accept the desire expressed by you for the extension of friendship between us, and we accordingly admitted Flad to our presence, and having heard from him your Majesty's wishes, we gave directions for the transmission to your Majesty by the hands of Flad of such articles as we understood from Flad your Majesty desired to obtain, and we also gave our sanction to the eu- gngement in your Majesty's service of skilled workmen, such as 3'ou desired to employ in Abyssinia. These arrangements were made, and Flad was on the point of leaving England to rejoin j'our Majesty, when intelligence reached us that you had with- drawn from our servant Eassam the favour which you had hitherto shown him, and had consigned him, together with our servant Cameron and the other Europeans, to prison. "W'e have received no explanations from join- Majesty of the grounds of a proceeding so inconsistent with the assurances and professions formerly made by your Majesty, and we have, therefore, lost no time in allowing Flad to depart, and have given to him this letter for your Majesty, not allowing ourselves to doubt that immediately on its receipt you will redeem your promises, and give effect to your professions, by dismistiiiig our servant Eassam, with our sei-vant Cameron and the other Europeans, in con- formity with the statement made in your letter of the 29th of January.
" Your IMajesty must be aware that it is the saci-cd duty of Sovereigns scrupulously to fulfil engagements into which they may have entered ; and that the peisons of Ambassadors, such as our sei-vant Eassam, and those by whom they are accompanied, arc, among all nations assuming to be civilized, invariably held sacred. We have, therefore, the more difficulty in accounting for
18GG. Dec. THE QUEEN'S LETTER TO THEODORE. 233
yuiir Majesty's hesitation, and we invite your Majcst}- to prove to the world that you lightly understand your position among Sovereigns, and do not desire to neglect the international duties which it is incumbent on all Sovereigns to fulBl. Your Majesty may be assured that wo shall be disposed to attribute to misap- prehension on your part, rather than ill-will towards us, tlie delay that has occurred in the return of Eassam, and those whom you had engaged to send with him ; but in the uncor- tiiinty which we cannot but feel as to your Majesty's intentions, Ave cannot allow Flad to be the bearer of those tokens of good- will which we purposed that he should convey to your Majest}'. But, in full confidence that the cloud which has darkened the friend>hip of our lelations will pass away on the return of Flad, and desiring that you should as soon as possible thereafter re- ceive the articles which we had proposed to send to your Majesty in token of our friendship, we have given orders that those articles should be forthwith sent to Massowah, to be delivered, for conveyance to your Majesty's Court, to the officers whom you may depute to conduct our servant Eassam, and our servant Cameron, and the other Europeans, so far on their way to our presence. And so we bid you heartily farewell.
"Given at our Court at Balmoral, the 4th day of October, in the year of oui* Lord, 18G6, and in the thirtieth year of our reign.
" Your good Friend,
(The largo Signet.) (Signed) "VICTOEIA E."
(Not countersigned.)
Superscribed — "To Our rjood Friend I'hcodorc, King of Abyssinia."
Tt wa.s roportod that tho King" was not displeased with tliis communication ; but lie a])poars to have tried, at the same time, to put a more favourable construction upon it than its tenor really warranted. Ilitwcvrr, he forwarded the copy to mo by my owu messenger, inclosed iu the following letter from himself: —
'2Si REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIII.
" In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — one God.
" From the King of hings, Theodorus. May this reach Mr. ITormiizd Eassam. How have you passed the time ? I, by the power of God, am well. Ask Dr. Blanc, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Cameron and his parly, and Mr. Stern and his party, from me, how they have passed their time.
" Your servant, whom you wished me to forward to Matamma, I have sent for you. I have ordered your things to be brought to Wahne, by camels, and from thence I have ordered my people to bring them hither, by the power of God.
" Mr. Flad has returned to Massowah, and transmitted to me the inclosed letter. Peruse it, and wait till I arrive, as I am coming to you, by the power of God. I will consult with you as to the answer I shall send."
(Without date.) — Eeceived December 28, 1866.
The receipt of her Majesty's firm yet conciliatory letter by the King, and the announcement of his intention to consult me personally on the subject, led me to hope that I might be able to persuade him to convey us to Tigre, there to nego- tiate for our release. The pleasing delusion was of short duration, for, a few days after, I received the following letter from his Majesty, through Eas I'ngada, wherein he notifies his determination to retain me and my fellow-captives at Magdala until he had secured his object, requiring me at the same time to write and request her Majesty's Government to send up the artisans : —
(After compliments.)
" Mr. Flad has written to me again, and I send you herewith the letter which he has enclosed.
"Now, in order to prove the good relationship between me and yourself, let it be shown by your writing and getting the skilful artisans and Mr. Flad to come, via Matdmma. This will be the sign of our fiiendship. When you hate my enemies and love my friends, and I shall piove wanting in my friendship towards you, leave me to God [as my judge]. Even Solomon,
1867. Jav. TUEODORE'S FRESU DEMAND. 235
tho son of David, the great King, God's created being and s^a^■e, when he wished to build the Temple in Jerusalem, was per- plexed [about finding skilful artisans]. Falling at the feet of King Tliram of Tyre, he begged him for carpenters and skilful artisans, who asbisfed in building the Temple. And now, when I used to fall girded at the feet of the great Queen, her nobles, peoples, and hosts, I found ^Ir. Stern and his party abused mo and lowered me. Also, when I sent a friendly letter to the great Queen of the English, the Defender of the Faith, the succour of the needy, tho friend of God, tho favourite of God — Victoria, Mr. Cameron refused me an answer. Also yi>u, Mr. Kassara, said that you were coming from the Queen, and came to me. Consenting to this, I received you in a friendly manner, and treated yuu to tho best of my ability. When I read the letter which you brought me, which asked mo to release and pardon all the Europeans whom I had hated and imprisoned, I consented, and sent and had them released at once, by the power of our Creator, before I passed the night. Before they came to mo I gave them over to you, in oider that the Queen and her Government might be pleased. Ihit you, before you asked them as to the crime Avhich they had committed, and which caused their impnsonmcnt, and without finding whether I was Avrong, in order that I might compensate them, or, if they were guilty, in order that I might obtain a favour from the Queen — before you brought them to me, you sent them away.
" I had also heard that tho English and tho Turks had entered into an alliance. I kept my vexation fo niy.'-olf and said nothing.
"Now Mr. Flad has sent mo a most friendly and pleasing letter. As Sulonion fell at tho feet of Ilirani, so I, under C!od, fill at the feet of tho Queen, and her Government, and her friends. I wish you to get them [tho skilful artisans] via Matdmma, in ord«;r that they may teach mo wisdom, and show mo clever arts. ^Vhen this is done, I shall make you glad, and send you away, by the power of G(jd.
"Written in the year of St. T.uke, on Saturday the 28th day of tho month Tahsuss" [answering to January T), 18(37j.
Received Januaiy 8, 18G7.
To hiivc refused the Kinj^'s request in this case would liavo jJaccd all our lives in jeopardy; even Mr. Waldinoier wrote
236 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Ciiap. XXIII.
to me on behalf of his Majesty's European artisans, begging mc to accede to the demand for their sakcs as well as our own. Moreover, I Ivnow full well tliat I should be able to communicate twice or thrice with the coast before the letter which was to be sent throu2;h the King could reach its destination.
My reply was as follows : —
" Mihjdala, January 7, 1867. "Most Gracious Sovereign,
" I have had the honour of receiving your Majesty's two letters : the first bj;- my servant, Ilailo, and the second by Eas I'ngada, together with a copy of my Queen's letter to you, which was forwarded to your Majesty from Massowah by Mr. Flad.
" Agreeably to your Majesty's desire, I have written to my Government about Avhat you have communicated, and I hope that your request will be complied with. I send Mohammed Sa'id, one of my servants, with the letter, which I have given to him, open, in order that your M'.jcsty may have it read, if you please. Allow me to return you my best thanks for your Majesty's kindness in having sent to Matamma for the stores I required, and I trust that our Heavenly Father v.'ill reward 3'ou for your acts of friendship. Dr. Blanc, J\Ir. Prideaux, Mr. Cameron and his party, Mr. Stern and his party, desire to present their respectful compliments to your Majesty."
I had just dispatched the foregoing, when another special courier arrived, bringing the subjoined extraordinary epistle from his Majesty, enclosing a note to my address from Colonel Merewether : —
(After compliments.)
" j\Ir. Flad has sent [wi-ittcn] to me as follows : — ' I had formerly sent to you Mr. Kassam in the aifairs of Cameron and his part}', and we heard that you had received him -with favour and with friendship. Wo had also consented to all the things you re- quired, and had given them over to Mr. Flad, but after that we heard that your friendship towards him had changed; but
18G7. Jan-. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THEODORE. 237
we hope that the friendship existing between iis and yourself will not be changed.'
" That is what was sent to me, and I am going to reply as follows : — ' Formerly England and Ethiopia were on terms of friendship, and I also, having knowledge of this, used to love j'on ox( <■' dingly. But [since then] having heard that the}- [the Endi>h] have r-alumniated me to the Turk.';, who hate me, I said to myself, Can this be tine ? and I felt some misgiving in my heart. However, I tnist there is no enmity between Ethiopia and the Engli>h, but that there is friendship. "We do not esteem those who calumniate and hate the English ; so you, for our sake, should not esteem those who calumniate and hate the people of Ethiopia. jMr. lias.sam and his party, whom you sent to me, I Lave placed in my house, in my capical at Mdgdala, and 1 will treat them well, until I obtain a token of your fiiendship.'
" I shall write the above to Mr. Flad, and I wish you also, for the sake of obtaining for me their [the English] friendship and lovo, to write at the same time to the proper authorities, and send the letter to mo, by the power of God. It is necessary that yoTi should send a man immediately to me, in order that he m.ty bring Mr. Flad to me quickly."
(Without date.) — Ifeceived January 7, 18G7.
Hero was a batch of complaints, reproaches and solicita- tions, all put together, in order to induce me to write for the tran.^mission of the artisans from Masisowah. As I liad anti- cipated, the letter wliich I a<ldressed to Lord Stanley on the subject, and which liad been forwarded, open, througli the King, did not readi London till four months afterwards, by which time tlie artisans liad left I\[assowah, on their way back to England; and, in the mean time, lier ]\Iajesty'8 (ioveriiment had been appri.scd by me of all that had talan jdace. However, I replied to the foregoing letter, on the ^Miiir (lay, as follows: —
^^ MatjiMa, January 8, 1807.
• Mosr (JlUCIOUS SOVKUKION,
*' 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Majesty's letter of the 28tli Tuhsuss, which reached mo this morning.
238 EEBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIL
" I return yon my best thanks for tlio letter you kindly in closed me from Massowali. It is from Colonel Merewetlicr, the Kesident at Aden, who it appears has been intrusted -with the management of what my Queen wrote to you about.
" He writes to sa}' that he is anxiously awaiting your Majesty's reply to Mr. Flad's communication.
" I have already written regarding Mr. Flad and the articles which my Queen had ordered for j'our IMajesty, as a token of her friendship, and that they are to be sent at once to Matiimma.
" I must take this opportunity of reiterating to your Majesty my assurances that up to this time I have always deemed it my sacred duty, though in chains, to do everything towards cementing the friendship between Ethiopia and England.
" It is no little consolation to me to find, from my Queen's letter to your Majesty, how anxious she is to continue her friendship with you.
"I pray our Heavenly Father to grant that the friendship which I have been anxious to cultivate between my Queen and 5'our Majesty will be fully established to the satisfaction of all.
" Dr. Blanc, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Cameron and his part}', also Mr. Stem and his party, beg to send their respectful compliments to your Majesty."
From the date of the above until the midJle of IMarcli I received only complimentary messages from the King, but on the 19th of that month he sent me the subjoined note, together with the stores which had been brought for us from Matamma, by his orders : —
(After compliments to all.)
" Your servants have brought your things from Matiimma, As I found them too bulk)-, I divided them into light packages in the presence of Mr. AValdmeier and his party. I noAv send them to you in small parcels, because I want you to receive them speedily.
"Dated Gth of the month Magabit, a.d. 1850."— (2nd March, 18G7.)
Eas I'ngala came in charge, and the packages were brought on the shoulders of the royal troops, as most of the
18G7. Maucii. disaffection OF THE PEASANTRY. 23^
peasantry between Debra Tabor and IMagdala had become disaffected since the King had commenced imprisoning tlio Chiefs of Bagaiiieder. Ras Kidana 3Iaryam, the Comman- dant of Magdala, had been put in irons on the ostensible cliarge of having been in correspondence with IMenilek, King of Shoa ; the real fact was, that Theodore feared he might rebel on hearing that his district, Bagame.ler, was being de- vastated by his ungrateful master. He was conveyed to Debra Tabor to-day by Ras I'ngaila, together with "Wakshum Tafare, cousin to the Wakslium Gobaze, and two other great Chiefs of the King's creation. It was apprehended that his Majesty intended to put these men out of the way; such, however, was not the case. He had merely subjected them to the torture for a few days, in order to extort money from them, and they were sent back to Magdala when Theodore himself approached that fortress in the beginning of the following year.
I sent the subjoined letter to his Majesty by Ras I'ngada, thanking him for tlic trouble he had taken about our stores, and requesting his permission to send him some of the wearing apparel which I had received : —
"Magdala, 20lJi March, 18G7. "Most Gracious Soveueigx,
" I have had the honour of receiving your Majesty's welcome letter by lias I'nguda, dated the (Uh of JMagiibit, and I wa.s glad to learn thcrefiom that you were in perfect health.
"I >ieg to infoi-m your Majesty that tlie things you so kindly forwarded to mo liavo reached safely. Allow mo to rctuiTi yon my grateful thanks for your kindness in having had thorn brought from Matamma, and for the trouble you have taken in transmitting them hither.
" 1 take this opportunity of informing jour I^fajesty that when, on a former occasion, T asked j-our permission to obtain a snpj)]y of eatublcH and drinkables from Matamma, I was not aware that anything had arrived thoro for me, from Massowah ; but
240 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIL
it appears that a few days Lefore my letter reached that place, some Avearing apparel had arrived for me and my companions, •vvliich -svas accordingly forwarded to me, together with what I had written for. Part of the former consists of a supply of calico and shirts, and as we have already more than we require of those articles, I trust your Majesty will allow me to send you ten pieces of calico and thirty shirts, for the use of your servants. I hesitate to send them by Ilailo, the bearer of this letter, before obtaining your sanction, which I hope you will be pleased to accord.
"Dr. Blanc, Mr. Prideaux, Mr. Cameron and his party, and Mr. Stern and his party, beg to send your Majesty their ret^pect- ful compliments. Thank God, we are all well, and I trust this letter will find you in the enjoyment of perfect health."
"When I wrote for the above-named articles in May, 1866, I bad intended some of the shirts and calico for the King, and as they had reached me through him, and he himself had actually seen them when they were re-packed, I could hardly do otherwise than malce him the offer which I did. Being a prisoner, however, I deemed it expedient to ask his con.>ent before sending the present. His reply, which came to hand on the 15tli of April, was characteristic : —
(After compliments to all.)
" I have received your communication, and thank you for it. It is not convenient for the present that I should receive any- thing from j-ou ; but, by the power of God, whatever you require I will give you. I am much obliged to you [for the proffered gift]; let your servants wear the articles for me. Oh! ni}- be- loved, send to me for Avhatcvcr you need, and I will supply it. Don't fear.
" What I requiio from my friend, the Queen, and from you, my brother, is your friendship. >;ot that I can say that I am rich, and am in no want of worldly goods ; but, by the power of God, I am anxious that you should open my eyes, for I am a blind donkey."
(Ji)]y once after this, subsequent to Mr. Flad's return from
Chap. XXIII. THEODORE IN STRAITS. 241
England, was I able to correspond directly with tlie King through ray own messengers, as the whole of liagameiler had risen in rebellion and efTleetually cut off all communiration with Magdala. Dalanta and Dawunt, in the vicinity of the fortress, remained faithful to the royal cause till July, wlien they were driven, under compulsion, to join the Gallas for a time. For seven weeks, Theodore was unable to hold any intercourse with jMagdala, except through secret messengers obtained from among the native prisoners and peasants. For tlu'ee months, even these emissaries failed to accomplish their errands, and matters had come to such a deadlock that all kinds of conjectures were afloat as to what the upshot would be. The rumour that the King had been driven to such straits that he was obliged to take refuge in his native district, K\Aara, filled all the captives with joy, ami at one time there was not one amongst us who would not have wagered a hundred to one that we should never see his face again ; nevertheless, we were once more doomed to disap- pjiiitment. Were I to record a tithe of the exaggerated and unfounded reports which obtained temporary currency at that period, this narrative would cover many additional pages. There can be little doubt, however, that the pro- ceedings of Theodore, during the greater part of 18(j7, were characterized by a savage brutality quite diabolical. His thirst for blood luid attained such a pitch, that ho is said to have ordered one hundred thousand head of cattle to bo shot dead, between sunrise and sunset, on hearing that his soldiers, who had already plundered more cows than they knew what to do with, were selling them to the rebels for one dollar uacli. It appears, also, that ho had learnt from the rebels a more summary way of disposing of his captured enemies, namely, by committing them to the flames. A VOL. II. B
212 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIL
petty insurgent of Davvunt, near Magdala, is stated to have been the first to perpetrate this horrible outrage, before that district revolted. The district was presided over by a Chief, named Aito Odisso, who was reputed to be upwards of a hundred years of age, and yet walked and rode with the energy of a man of fifty. 1 saw this venerable patriarch as we passed through Dawunt, on our way to Magdala, in July, 1866. He certainly did not look more than seventy years old, and yet the people assured me that he was a Chief of Dawunt in the time of Eas Guksa, the grandfather of Eas 'Ali, that is, about eighty years ago. This man was so devoted to Theodore, that he maintained the loyalty of the district to the royal cause when the whole country around was convulsed Avith anarchy, and on two occasions he repulsed the rebels who appeared in the immediate neigh- bourhood, and utterly routed them. One rebel, how^ever, with a party of about eighty followers, determined to get rid of the old Chief and his family. They accordingly concerted together to set his house on fire by night, and to massacre any of the inmates who attempted to run from the flames. The devilish scheme was carried out to the letter. Aito Odisso, who was the first to awake, rushed out of the burning house, and was speedily dispatched by the ruffians, who were on the look-out for him. Eight or ten members of his family were either burnt alive or speared ; the remainder, including his son and heir, managed to effect their escape under cover of the darkness. The marauders then collected all tlic booty they could from the village, including horses, mules and cattle, and by sunrise the fol- lowing morning reached that part of the Bashilo river which divides Dalanta from Dawunt, where, fancying themselves safe from surprise, they halted to have a feast on hrundo.
Chap. XX III. AITO ODISSO. 243
Meanwhile, the son of the slaughtered Chief was busy at work, and swore that he would not bury his father before he had avenged him. The conflagration of the houses, and the resoundings of the war-cry during the night, brought all the Dawunt wan-iors to the spot, who, on seeing the mangled corpse of their Chief, took an oath that they would not return home until they had wreaked their vengeance on his murderers. About five hundred mustered to go in pursuit, and the scouts sent in advance to reconnoitre re- turning ^\itll the intelligence that the band had halted near the Bashilo, the young Chief divided his followers into two parties, one of which was placed so as to cut off the re- treat of the enemy, while the other attacked them. The rebel Chief fought bravely, and, refusing to surrender himself iilive, was almost hacked to pieces by the assailants ; where- upon his adherents, finding themselves surrounded on all sides, laid down tlieir arms. The corpse of their leader was then transported to the old Chiefs village in Dawunt, where it was left to rot in the fields, and about eighty of the cap- tured prisoners were sent to the King at Debra Tabor. So severely did Theodore feel the loss of Aito Odisso, that he is reported to have wept when he heard of his death, and kept himself secluded for a whole day. Even during the old man's lifetime, the King never exacted any taxes from I ho people of Dawimt ; the only burden imposed upon ihem was the duty of supplying the garrison at Magdala with a tenth of the grain raised in the district. Moreover, ho always addressed the houry-headed Chief in tlu! third person, as if speaking to a superior. The rebel prisonei*3 underwent a fair trial, and all pleaded guilty ; whcretipon the King adjudged tli.m to a death similar to that \Nhich they had devised for his dear and faithful friend. They were
u 2
244 EEBELLION AEOUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXHI..
accordingly placed in a large hut, on tlie outside of which heaps of grass were piled by the executioners, who then set the whole on fire. Such was Theodore's first essay in this species of cruelty, and, finding that it was an expeditious way of dispatching those whom he styled " rebels," he thence- forward frequently adopted it. By all accounts, some hun- dreds of men, Avomen and children were subsequently burnt alive by his orders.
An incident occurred on the murder of the old Chief of Dawunt which is worthy of being recorded, as illustrative of the honesty and fidelity of Abyssinian servants. When I was sent a prisoner to Magdala, the King instructed that Chief to act as my agent, and to assist me generally in my requirements. He also directed, that in case I wished to send mules belonging to the Mission to graze in Dawunt, he was to supply them with forage, and also to provide quarters for the muleteers and for any servants or messengers of mine who passed through his district. On the afternoon preceding the night of the outrage, one of my trusty messengers, named Golja, reached the Chieftain's house from Gaffut, with two companions, carrying no less a sum than 1,700 doUars — nearly 400Z. — for my fellow-captives and myself, which had been obtained from the King's European artisans against orders drawn on Europe. They Mere located, during the night of the attack, in a small hut just beyond the Chief's inclosurc. Lucidly, Golja happened to be awake when the first onset was made on the premises. Suspecting foul phiy, he roused his companions and hurried them out of the hut, bearing the money, and the tliree concealed themselves in a clump of bushes, away from the vilLage, until the morning. When everything was quiet, they pursued their journey, and arrived at the fortress without the loss of a dollar.
Chap. XXII F. MESSENGERS AND GUIDES. 215
During the interval that the roads between Debra Tabor and ]\ragdala were closed by the rebels, I occasionally em- ployed the King's private messengers to bring letters and money from our friends at Gafifat. Though twice attacked by marauding parties, they never lost any of the parcels confided to tliem ; in fact, the readiness of these royal couriers to serve me, and their fidelity to the trusts they undertook, are beyond all praise. Aito Samuel also had two servants, named respectively Obishet and Dabaj, whose devotion to tlieir master induced them to risk their lives on our behalf. Any communication from a party who feared to make it through a third person generally reached me through Ubi-het, with unerring punctuality and truthfulness. As I never allowed the letters which we dispatched to the coast, or those sent up to us from Massowah, to be taken from !Magdala or to be brought there by the messengei'S charged with their conveyance, it was the joint duty of Obishet and my interpreter, Dasta, to carry them about their persons until they found a safe opportunity of delivering them to the parties selected to transmit them. Dabaj, on tlio otlier luind, was the principal medium of carrying on our com- munications with the royal camp during these critical times, and although well known to the King's courtiers, and even to Theodore, ho never hesitated to undertake my errands to Debra lubor or elsewhere. If seized, he was instructed io say that he had been sent by me to procure funds — the only j)lea which was likely to save his life. Once, when not another soul would venture betw(Mjn ^Idgdala ami Debra Tultor, owing to a stringent order that no stranger was to bo allowed either to enter or leave the eanip, lit; volunteered to visit Mr. Flad llw re, in onhr to t)btain a supply of money for us, of which we were in the greatest need. He travelled
2i6 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIT.
with one of the King's private messengers, and after getting the money — about two hundred dollars — he consigned half of it to his companion, and both set out on the return journey together. On reaching the district of Gaint, in Bagameder, they were attacked by a party of rebels, who seized Dubaj, while the royal courier managed to escape. The latter brought us the sum which he carried, just as we had ex- pended our last few dollars ; the former was first bound by the marauders, and tlien lightened of his burden, with the exception of a sum of forty dollars, ^hich he had carefully secreted in his trousers. Two of the forty dollars he gave to one of the servants in the house where he had been confined, to connive at his escape, and he eventually reached us in safety with the balance by travelling only during the night.
On finding that we were close prisoners at Magdala, I appointed agents at different places between the coast and the fortress, and also between the Amba and the King's camp at Debra Tabor, to protect my messengers and render them every assistance in their power. I found, also, that guides were necessary to insure the safety of the letters when they arrived near Magdala, and I accordingly employed a number of men on that service. These guides carried the letters when I did not think it safe to trust the messengers directly, lest they should be detected. The latter acquitted themselves from beginning to end most honourably, and only on a few rare occasions did they lose any of the money confided to them.
Of all the assistance, however, which I received from the Abyssinians, none proved so valuable as the co-operation of the Chiefs of Dalanta. I'rkina, one of their number, never failed me in a single instance from the time I first employed
Chap. XXIII. ABYSSINIAN FIDELITY. 217
him until wc finally left Magdala. During that interval, Dalanta changed its governor no less than six times, having been ruled alternately by the King, the Wakshura Gobaze, and the Gallas. I'rkina and his two brothers harboured my mes- sengers and afforded them protection, whenever it was needed. "Without them I could not have sent our mails regularly to the coast, nor could we have received, as we did, supplies of money from without, when the whole country was in a state of anarchy. Many a time did I'rkina retire to sleep in the most lonely spots, fearing lest the letters which he carried might be seized, in the event of his betrayal either to Theodore or to the Imam of the CJallas. On one occasion, when five batches of messengers arrived together on the borders of Dalanta from the coast, with several sums, amount- ing in all to 2,000 dollars, a large party of rebels concerted to attack and plunder them. On hearing this, I'rkina mustered all the ligliting-men from among his relations — seventy in number — and proceeded with them to the rendez- vous, took charge of the money, and brought it intact to Magdahi.
lieforc the King reached the fortress I managed to main- tain a regular bi-moiithly communication with jMassowah. So trustworthy had 1 found the Abyssinians, that when news reached us of tlie landing of the British troops, I commenced organizing intermediate stations between ^lagdala and Sakota, to serve as a more expeditious lino of conveying intelligence between ourselves and the invading force. According to my calculations at the time, a letter might have been transmitted from I^Fagdala t(» tln' coa-t, aiul vice versa, in twelve days. 1 Imd ev<n aiipoiiilc*! the respective Ktiif ion-masters — men who could read and write — and com- missioned a silversmith at Maijrdala to make dilTerenl <"al>-
248 EEBELLIOX AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIII.
for each, with which the letters passing through their hands were to be stamped. Four men were allotted to each station, who were to travel in couples, forty miles, once a fortnight. I had nominated the couriers, and the seals were being prepared, when the King's approach was announced, and the people of Wadala— the district where the two first stations were to have been established — suddenly left their homes and fled towards Lasta. This unforeseen occurrence of course upset my scheme, but I mention these incidents to show the trustworthiness of the Abyssinians generally, and their fidelity towards their employers and those who treat them with proper consideration. Nothing, indeed, that either my fellow-captives or myself experienced at their hands would warrant us in speaking otherwise of them. If a few isolated cases to the contrary are enough to brand a whole people with dishonesty, faithlessness and ingratitude, then, forsooth, no nation is free from the stigma. It is perfectly true that I did fall in with disreputable individuals in Abyssinia, especially among the common soldiers, who regarded me as an inferior being, because I neither More a sTidmma nor buttered my hair ; but such characters were comparatively few, and many of them were afterwards ^^on over by kindness to serve me with almost abject devotion. It should be remembered, moreover, that ours was a most anomalous position at Magdala ; we were, to all intents and purposes, " prisoners," and the soldiery regarded us as such. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that we did not re- ceive from them those out\Aard tokens of deference which, under other circumstances, might have been expected. An European guard is not l)()und, and I believe not allowed, to salute its prisoners, whatever Ihcir i-imk may be; corre- .sponding discipline prevails in the Abyssinian army, and it
1867. ABYSSINIAN FIDELITY. 219
would be as unreasonable to inveigh against it in tlic one case as in the other.
I offer no apology for adducing another eminent example of the fidelity of the Abyssinians towards their employers. When the Rev. Mr. Stern was brutally beaten, and two of his native attendants were flogged to death by the King's orders, simply because they were in that gentleman's service, not one of his remaining followers deserted him ; on the contrary, they stood by liini to the last, though they were imprisoned, tortured, and had a yoke hung round their necks by the cruel tyrant who had shed the blood of their innocent comrades. 3Ioreover, even wlien some among his o\\n country- men shunned the disgraced Missionary, his Abyssinian friends still clung to liini, despite the risk whicli they incurred by their sympathy, ^ly most ardent wish is that the poor Abyssinians could be provided witli better rulers and a more stable and equitable government, for I am persuaded that in the coui*se of a few years, under an enlightened adminis- tration, tlicy would make rapid advances, as well in morals as in civilization generally. They are without any caste prejudices, they are observant and shrewd, fond of learning, and by no means deficient in intellectual ability ; indeed, I um disposed to rank their natural powers in the latter respect as equal to those of most ICuropeaii races. A large portion of the educated and enlightened members of the community were sadly disappointed on finding that Eng- land's sole object in invading the country was the liberation of the captives, and that the British force would retire without taking any steps to intro<luce law and nrder among them. " W'e were born in bondage and must die slaves," was their desponding remark. The day after ^lagdala was captured, I was asked whether it was true that we wire
'250 REBELLION AROUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIIL
going to abandon the wretched people, without leaving a competent governor behind to rule over them, and to lead them in the steps of other Christian nations. On my reply- ing in the afBrmative, telling them at the same time that they must learn to govern themselves, they rejoined, " You mean that we must cut each other's throats."
For a long time we were absolutely ignorant of the where- abouts of the King, or when he intended visiting IMagdala. (The march from Debra Tabor thither eventually occupied him six entire months.) During this interval, both the Wakshum Gobaze and Menilek, King of Sboa, were most anxious to obtain possession of the fortress, and with that view tried to ingratiate themselves Avith the Abuna, pro- mising him immunity and honour when the power of Theo- dore fell into their hands. I was repeatedly asked to use my influence with the Chiefs to surrender the place to one or other of the contending parties, when the royal cause was thought to be desiderate. Ahmed, the son of Mastyat, the youthful Imam of the Wello-G alias, also sent me a singular letter, while I was still in chains, asking me to make over Magdala to him, promising faithfully to send me down, with all my fellow-captives, to the coast in safety. It did not seem to have occurred to Mastyat, the Imam's mother — it was she \A ho dictated the letter — that if I had possessed the power of giving up Magdala to them, I should have got out of it myself. He wrote an equally absurd letter to the Bishop, telling him that if he assisted him in securing Magdala, he, the Imam, would protect his "idols," that is to say, the pic- tures and crosses used in the Abyssinian cliurches. Mastyat, who was acting as Eegent for her son during his minority, often threatened to starve the Magdala garrison by stopping its supplies, which she could easily have done, if the Gallas had
1867. COMPETITORS FOR MAG DAL A. 251
only supported her in the design ; but they preferred their oym detestable way of revenge — lying in ambush behind trees and roeks, whence they issued forth to kill helpless boys, women and hioffensive priests. I believe that on the defen- sive tlie Gallas fight well, but they are contemptible as assailants, except in harassing a hostile army by hanging on its outsldrts and cutting off stragglers.
Menilek and the "Wakshum Gobazo did approach at last, but they took care to keep at a good distance, thereby making themselves the objects of ridicule to the Magdala garrison, who despised their cowardice. Menilek came first on tlie 30th of November, and pitched his camp on the plateau opposite ]\[agdala, not less than five miles off. It was said that ho had at least 30,000 fighting men with liiin. One afternoon he approached about 500 feet nearer, with about 2,000 Musketeei-s and some artillery; but after making a little display of his fire-arms, he returned to his tent, and nothing more was seen of him. He remained there three days, and we hourly expected that he would approach and invest the place ; but he seemed to have feared an encounter with the fierce defenders of the fortress, and instead of coming towards us, when he moved on the 2nd of Deeombor, 18fJ7, ho returned to Shoa, on the plea that the provisions for hi-i troops were exhausted. The fact was, ho had then heard of tlie approach of Theodor(>, and thought it better to decamp in time. Menilek was much liked, and would have found many friends among the garrison, if he hud been bold enough to conimenee operations.
Aft<n- Menilek's departure, the Wakshum Goba/e appeared in the Held, but did n(»t come as near to ]\lagdala as the King of Shou. The movement was made just as we heanl that Tli'MKlore was approarhing, and he halted about thirty
252 REBELLION AEOUND MAGDALA. Chap. XXIII.
miles off, witli an army computed at 30,000 fighting men.
Although the Wakshum Gobaze did not behave bravely on that occasion, he was one of our first and best friends in Abyssinia, and never failed to serve us to the best of his ability. Soon after we were sent to IMagdala he gave orders, at the Bishop's recommendation, that his officers on the road between ]\Iugdala and the coast should assist our messengers, and protect them in case of clanger. This co-operation continued until the arrival of the British army at the fortress. On one occasion, I sent to tell him that I had a large packet of documents which I was anxious to send safely to Massowah, and asked if he could help me in the matter. He immediately sent a priest to me, who took charge of the packet and conveyed it to its destination. When I heard of the landing of our troops, I sent to inform him of the fact, and asked him to assist in providing them with carriage and provisions. He accordingly caused to be proclaimed through his districts, by beat of drum, that all his subjects were to supply the British army with whatever they required, and that they were not to fear, as the troops were Christians, and would pay the full price for everything. He said he was sorry that he could not wait to receive the army himself, as he had engaged to go and settle the govern- ments of Biigameder and the other districts round the Lake of Dambea, and could not delay any longer, on account of the rainy season, which was then fast approaching.
Since our seizure at Zage, on the 13th of April, 1866, when we judged it jjrudent to destroy all our papers, I abstained from keeping a regular journal, lest by some mishap it might fall into Theodore's hands. Hence, many portions of the foregoing pages are compiled from ofScial dis-
1807. MATERIALS FOR THIS WORK. 253
patches, from private letters which had been sent to friends in England, casual notes, and from memory — a faculty which comparative seclusion from the work-a-day world, pending a two years' captivity, has a marvellous power in refreshing and rendering more retentive. However, when at the end of 18G7 nothing was heard of the King, and nobody believed that he would ever be able to reach our prison-house, I re-commenced a diary from November of that year, and dispatched the memoranda by the messengers who were sent from time to time to the coast. But as it would tire the patience of the reader to peruse a mere record of repeated visits from different Chiefs, and of the local occurrences at Magdala, I sliall skip over such trifling matters — important as they were to us on the spot — and talce up the narrative of events connected with the Mission from the time that the communication between Magdala and the royal camp was reopened, and the King resumed corresponding with mc.
254 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THEODOKE REACHES MAGDALA.
Theodore hears of the landing of the British troops — Sir Robert Napier's Proclamation — Death of Hailo, a messenger — Submission of the Dalanta people — The road open to Magdala — Death and burial of Theodore's sister — Transport of artillery — The Author sends dispatches to the British camp — Abyssinian mourning for the dead — Native and five European prisoners forwarded to Magdala — Theodore's polite mes- sages and speeches — Sir Robert Napier's ultimatum — Theodore in prospect of the impending invasion — He reaches the Dalanta plateau — Breaks faith with the Dalanta people — The Amharas — Messengers aiTive from the British camp — The Author released from his chains — Letter and jiresent from Theodore — Commmiications to and from the British Camp — Theodore reaches the plateau of Salamge.
On the 2nd of December, 1867, tlie King heard of the hmd- ing of the British troops, and about the 20th of the same month an Amharic copy of Sir Eobcrt Napier's Proclamation reached him from Tigre. It was reported at the time that the announced invasion made him furious, and that his European artisans narrowly escaped being put into chains in consequence. Such, however, was not the case, for I was assured on tlie best authority that the Proclamation only elicited a smile from the inscrutable Monarch. Nevertheless, he would not allow the document to be seen by any of his own people ; not even by Alaka I'ngada, his chief scribe. It was placed with other papers in tlic tin box which I had given him. His Majesty was then in Wadala, near the Chetta river. The following is a copy of the Proclamation : —
18G8. .Tax. SIR R. NAPIER'S PROCLAMATION. 255
"To TiiK Governors, tiie Chiefs, the Eeligious Orders, and THE People of Abyssinia.
" 26/7* October, 18G7. " It is known to you that Tbeodorus King of Abyssinia detains in captivity the British Consul Cameron, the British Envoy Uassam, and many others, in violation of the laws of all civilized nations,
" All friendly persuasion having failed to obtain their release, my Sovereign has commanded me to lead an army to liberate them.
" All who befriend the prisoners or assist in their liberation shall be well rewarded, but those who may injure them shall be severely punished.
" When the time shall arrive for the march of a British army through your country, bear in mind, people of Abyssinia, that the Queen of England has no unfriendly feeling towards you, and no design against your country or your liberty.
"Your religious establishments, your persons, and property i-hall be carefully protected.
"All supplies rerpiired for my soldiers shall be paid for; no peaceable inhabitants shall be molested.
*' The sole object for which the Biitish force has been sent to Abyssinia is the liberation of Her Majesty's sei-vants and others ullju^-tly detained as captives, and as soon as that object is effected it will bo withdrawn.
•'There is no intention to occupy permanently any portion of the Abyssinian territory, or to interfere with the Government of the countiy.
" 11. NAriEU, Lieutenant-General,
" Commander-in-Chief, Bomhay Arnuj."
Xst January, 1SG8. — News reached I\ragdala tliat tho AVakshum Gobaze had announced his intention of attacking Theodore as soon as the latter descended into the valloy of the Cbcita. He had nominated two Dajazmatslics, witli about ten thousand men, to procotd to Dalanfa in order to prevent his ^lajesty's progress to ]\Iugdala. Tn llio afternoon, tho
256 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIY.
Commandant and other Chiefs came to condole with me on the loss of Hailo, the faithful messenger whom I had employed to carry my messages to the King, his Majesty having sent to inform me that the poor man had died in Zabit, after a lingering illness. I had dispatched liini with a compli- mentary letter to Theodore as far back as May, but as the roads had been closed since then, he was obliged to remain in the royal camp, and eventually came on with his Majesty. In the evening the Eas's wife and other ladies visited me on the same errand. It is worthy of remark that the Abyssinians generally are very kind to servants, treating them as members of the family, especially on their marriage or death. AYhen native ladies go to condole with any one, they usually wear their dirtiest clothes ; hence, my fair visitors on this occasion were, externally, far from prepos- sessing.
2nd. — Private couriers arrived this evening, bringing me a polite message from the King. They reported that his Majesty had reached Beitahor, on the top of the northern side of the Chetta valley.
^rd. — News reached us that the people of Dalanta had sub- mitted to the King. The Wakshum Gobaze having failed to protect them, they judged it prudent to take advantage of the royal amnesty which Theodore had held out to them. I re- ceived another polite message from his Majesty this after- noon.
Ath. — The road being now open between the royal camp and IMagdala, tlic King was able, for the first time after a long interval, to ro-commencc employing his regular couriers. His Majesty had been so long without proper food that he sent to request his favourite wife, Itamanyo, to prepare some good dishes and dispatch them to the camj), in order that he
18C8. Jan. TRANSPORT OF A MORTAR. 257
might enjoy himself at the Abyssinian Christmas. The couriers came to me shortly after with the following mossa<^e from their master : — " How are you ? How are you, my friend ? Thank God, I am well. I have now reached Beita- hor, and hope to be with you soon. The nearer I approach towards you the happier I feel, kuowing that the pleasure of meeting you is at baud. I sent you to Magdala to be in my house, with the Queen Consort and my son, and I hope they have been kind to you and attended to your wants. Your servant, Mohammed Sa'id, has reached Chalga, with stores for you, and he is now with my people there. I have also received everything that was sent for from the coast. I liave had a large mortar cast, which has detained me on the road ; but when I reach ^lagdala, and you see and admire it, I shall forget all the trouble which it has given me. Ask your brothers [fello^^ -captives] how thoy are, from me. I am obliged to dispatch the messengers in haste, otherwise I would have written to you." On the streugtli of this very courteous message the Magdala Chiefs advised me to write a congratu- latory letter to his Majesty. I accordingly addressed him as follows : —
(After compliments.)
" I have liad the honour of receiving your Majesty's kind message by Yashdlaka Lih, and I was delighted to hear of your safe arrival at r»eitah6r.
" I was also not a little pleased to learn that your Majesty was in perfect hcaltli.
" May the liord give your Majesty hcaltli and prosperity, and show us the light of your countenance soon ; and may you enjoy a happy Cliristmas.
" Ih. Blanc and Mr. Pridcaux, I\Ir. Cameron and liis jiart}', and Mr. Stem and his party, send your Majesty their respectful comjiliments."
VOL. II. 8
258 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap, XXIY.
The articles referred to by the King were some books and fusees which I had ordered for him from Aden, as far back as May, 18G6. Mohammed Sa'id was the messenger whom he had asked me to dispatch with the letter he had requested me to write, iu January of the following year, to get the artisans sent up from the coast. He was fully aware that the man had returned Nvithout an answer, and yet he forbore manifesting any displeasure towards me, or finding fault with the Government on that account.
In the afternoon the remains of the King's sister, to whom he had been very much attached, were brought from the royal camp to be interred in the church. She liad died on the road to. Magdala, and had been placed in a coffin. To prevent the effluvia arising from decomposition — whenever it is desired to transport a body to a distance — the Abyssinians wrap the corpse in several folds of cerement, much in the same way as seems to have been practised by the ancient Egyptians, and after exposing it to the sun for some time remove it into the shade. By this process the waxed cloths adhere closely together and form an impervious shroud. The Magdala priests received the remains of the Princess in full canonicals, with chants and the beating of drums, and outdid themselves on the occasion, knowing the proximity of the King, and being anxious to make a great show of their loyalty, in order to win his approbation.
QtU. — Keceived another polite message from Theodore. Orders came to-day directing that half the Magdala garrison should bo sent to assist in transporting the licavy baggage, and in moving the guns and_mortars througli the Chetta valley. Dam ash was to go in command of the detachment. This being the Abyssinian Christmas I gave an entertain- ment to the royal couriers, a number of the Magdala Chiefs,
1868. Jan. THEODOEE'S MOTIVE. 259
and several courtiers who had come from the King's camp on different errands, and treated them with hrundo and tej to their hearts' content.
1th. — Bitwaddad Damash and all the other officers ^ho were going to the royal camp came to take leave of me, offering to convey anything from me to the European arti- sans, or to bring anything back for me on their return. As the near approach of the King and the submission of Dalanta rendered it dangerous to dispatch letters to the coast, I sent messengers to accompany the detachment as far as Dalanta, from whence they might proceed onward to the British camp without risk of being seized.
11^^. — ]\Iy agents in Dalanta — who, in common with the generality of the people of that district, had accepted the royal amnesty — called to assure me of their constant readi- ness to serve me faithfully as long as I remained in the country.
\2th. — Another message from the King this morning. As we were at prayers when the couriers arrived, they waited until our service was over. His Majesty apologized for hav- ing detained 'Omar 'Ali, my interpreter, but said that he did not wish to send him back without an answer. The follow- ing day 'Omar 'Ali returned with the subjoined note : —
(After compliments.)
" B}' tho power of God, I am coming to you. Oh, my friend, do not think that I bear any hatred towards you. Be of good cheer. I have placed yon in your present position in order that I may have intercourse wilh the people of your countiy. The friendship which I have always entertained for you has not diminished. When God vouchsafes us a meeting, •\vo will talk together from tho heart. God knows that I really have no hatred towards you."
'Omar 'Ali reported that tho I^g had received him very
s 2
2G0 THEODORE EEACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
well, and both lie and tho Europeans ^vlio were with the royal camp stated that his IMajesty had publicly spoken of me in flattering terms. Theodore at this time was engaged from sunrise to sunset in widening and leyelling tlic roads down the valley for the passage of his huge waggons.
11 th. — Heard that his Majesty liad reached the bottom of the Chetta valley, with all his heavy baggage, guns, &c. ; that upwards of two hundred prisoners had been made over to Damash, to be conveyed to 3Iagdala ; also Mrs. Rosenthal,, who had received the King's permission to join her husband. Dispatched a post to-day to the British camp with the latest intelligence.
IWi. — This being the Feast of tlie Epiphany with the Abyssinians, the priests and warriors of Magdala made no. little uproar in conveying the sacred Tdhot from the springs near which it had been deposited the previous night, and where it was newly aifused with water prior to its re-com- mittal to the Holy of Holies within the church. A description of this ceremony has already been given in Vol. I. pp. 225-7.
22nd. — The King sent me word regretting his long deten- tion. He found road-making a harder task than he had anticipated.
2?ird. — Samuel's wife having heard of the death of her father and mother in the royal camp, through fatigue and anxiety, there was great wailing in his house this morning. As usual, a feast followed the lamentation for the departed, all the friends of the family, and those who wished to mani- fest their sympathy on the occasion, contributing the custo- mary viands.
On the death of a near relative, the Abyssinians either shave their heads or crop tli<ir liair short; many of them also try to disfigure themselves by scratching their cheeks
■ 1868. Jan. NATIVE OBSEQUIES. 261
and temples till the blood runs. Samuel, however, who dis- liked all such barbarous customs, would not allow his wife to cut oflf her hair, and was obliged to jAace women over her to see that his injunctions were obeyed. Feeling aggrieved at this prohibition to observe the usages of her country, the lady refused to allow her hair to be buttered. All other resources to induce her to comply with her husband's wishes in that respect having failed, my intervention was sought, and after considerable effort I induced the mourner to submit to the usual buttering. Theodore hated all these obsequies, which he reganled as pagan, and on his accession to the throne he forbade them, and decreed that any one, male or female, who disfigured his or her face, in token of sorrow for the departed, should be amenable to punishment. lie also prohibited all loud wailing for the dead in the royal camp.
]Meuilek, King of Shoa, sent me some money to-day and a note, informing me that the English Queen had written him a letter recognizing him as King of Abyssinia. It was for- tunate that this communication did not fall into Theodore's hands.
2V}th. — The Magdala detachment returned this afternoon with 180 native and five European prisoners. The latter were those who had tried to eflect their escape from Debru Tabor when M. Bardel betrayed their design to the Iving, namely, Messrs. Staiger, Brandeis, Schiller, Essller and Macraire. Mrs. Rosenthal and her infant came also with the escort. Among the native prisonei-s were Wakshum Tafare and the other Chiefs who were taken with him by lias I'ngadu when lias Kiddua i\Iuryam was removed to iJebra Tabor ; Kiintiba Ilailo, the ex-3[ayor of Gondar; Has Wald-j\Iaryam, and lias Gabri6, the Chiefs who bad guarded tlie members of tlie Mission on our disgrace at Zagc ; the Master of llie llor>e;
262 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
Balambaras Tasdinma ; Bitwaddad Tadla, who had brouglit us as prisoners to Magdala ; T'issoo Hailo, the merchant who was afraid to accompany me on board the steamer at Mas- sowah at the end of 18G-1 (see VoL I. p. 36), and' a large number of courtiers who had incurred the royal displeasure for trivial offences.
After the native prisoners were safely lodged in the com- mon jail, together with about four hundred inmates who had been confined there previously, Dajjaj Dasta, one of the petty Chiefs of Magdala, who was then in great favour with the King, accompanied by several other Chiefs, brought the European captives, each chained to an Abyssinian soldier, and made them over to me, in accordance with the King's orders. His Majesty, he said, had directed him to repeat th& following message to me : — " How are you ? How have you passed the time ? I send five of your coimtrymen whom I wish you to receive and keep with the other Europeans who are with you. Be of good cheer, my son ; I shall soon be with you." It appears that when the native prisoners were consigned to the Magdala Chiefs at the royal camp, the latter inquired where the five Europeans were to be lodged. After considering a little, his Majesty asked the Chiefs whether they thought I should feel hurt if they were located with the native prisoners in the common jail. On their replying in the affirmative, he directed them to be made over to me, with the foregoing message. With regard to Mrs. Rosenthal, he said, " Take her and deliver her over to her brother, and say from me, ' I send your sister, as you desired.' " The poor lady was detained at the gate of the fortress nearly two hours, and \sas not admitted until the Chief had terminated his task of delivering over, categorically, all the native prisoners to the local authorities, agreeably with a list which
1868. Jan. imprisonment OF NATIVE CHIEFS. 263
had been drawn up at the royal caroj). The exigencies of Abyssinian red-tape demanded not only that the prisoners shoidd be made over numerically, but the Jail Wardens must have each individual identified, lest a common convict should be substituted for an attainted political offender of rank. So apprehensive was Theodore of losing Wakshmn Tafare, that he sent him to Magdala with his hands shackled to his feet, and twenty trusty men, selected by the King himself, were appointed to keep watch over him day and night until he reached his destination. All the formalities over, seven guns were fired to announce that the i)risoners were safely lodged within the impregnable fortress. The King, knowing the time when they might be expected to arrive, sat on a hill awaiting the expected signal. On see- ing the smoke of the gims he breathed freely, and exclaimed " Thank God ! " As there were some thousands Amliara as well as Galla rebels in arms in the neighbourhood, and as he could only spare an escort of five hundred men to guard the captive Chiefs, he was in dread lest their rescue should be attempted. Tn this apprehension he seems to have over- looked the itict, that the smoke of his camp-fires was enough to scare the cowardly rabble from his path.
News reached us to-day that the British force was being concentrated at Senafe.
21th. — Received a budget of letters from the coast ; also some newspapers. A short paragraph in one of the journals stated that " Calcraft had been engaged by her j\rajcsty's Government to accompany the Abyssinian Expedition " — a pleasant announcement to Theodore liad tlio paper fallen into bis hands and been rendered into Andiaric for him by a malevolent translator. The day following, all the offit'crs of tlio rf'tnruing detachment came to take leave of me.
261 THEODORE REACHES MAG DAL A. Chap. XXIY.
30th. — Dispatched other messengers to the British camp. I have now three guides and several agents between Mag- dala and the Takkaze river, to insure the safe transmission of letters out of the reach of the King.
1st February. — Theodore has been publicly talking about me and some of the other captives. Mr. Flad's version of the royal speech was as follows : — " IMi'. Rassam was my best friend before I sent him to Magdala, and although I put him in chains he is still my friend, and for that reason I esteem and love him, and shall do him good as long as I live, though those who are above him in England laugh at me, and deride my poverty ; but Messrs. Stern, Cameron and Eosenthal I cannot esteem more than my own Abyssinians." His remark about our Government having ridiculed him referred to a passage in one of Mr. Rosenthal's letters ^\hich has been explained in Vol. I. p. 301.
Zrd. — After I had retired for the night, I was aroused by Aito Samuel, who came to inform me that couriers had ar- rived from the King w ith a message which they were ordered to deliver to me without delay. The message ran thus : — "(How are you? I must apologize for not having -written when I sent you the five EuroiJcans. I have been hard at work of late making a good road for the gun-carriages. I hope it will not be long before I ascend Dalanta, when I trust to have the pleasure of meeting you — a joy which has been long deferred. Ask your brothers how they are," &c. We were induced to infer from the tenor of this communi- cation, that as soon as the King reached the Dalanta plateau he would send for us and keej) us there. It was no small satistaction to us that lie never carried out that project, if he had ever intended it.
'^th. — Almost every alternate clay since the 3rd, compli-
1868. Feb. BIR ROBERT NAPIER'S ULTIMATUM. 265
mentary messages have come to me from his Majesty. Ou the l.'jth there was a tremendous hailstorm, Nvhich partly destroyed the beautiful arbour in front of my hut. The day following a quaint message reached me from Theodore, which I must give in full : — " How are you ? How are you, my friend? Thank God, I am well; but the people of your country have made fools both of you and me. In a few days I shall be up with my guns in Dalanta, when I shall com- municate to you what I know." Tliis was quite a riddle to us, and the messengers were equally at a loss to know what the King meant.
Thtj W'ukshum Gobaze forwarded me a copy of his Excel- lency Sir Robert Napier's ultimatum, addressed to the K'iiig. lie had opened and read it, and on ascertaining its j)urp()rt liad exclaimed, "Alas! for the poor Francliotali. •Should this lall into the hands of Kasa [the name which the rebels always gave to Theodore], he will certainly kill them all." He accordingly directed the messenger to bring the j»aj)er to me, in order that I iniglit decide whether it was to be forwarded to its destination or destroyed. To insure its reaching me first, he instructed his agents to see that the bearer came to me before going elsewhere. When it reached me, I submitted it to several of the intelligent natives who were in my confidence, and they unanimously agrofd that tl)e worst consequences might be apprehended if the document found its way to the King. I also referred the nuitter to those of ray fcllow-eaptives whose opinion I felt bound to consult in such a case, and as tlieir views con- curred witli my own I decided to arrest the dangerous missive.
The following is a copy of the ultimatum : —
" I Jim (•oramanded by lier Majesty the Queen of England to demand that the pribouei-a whom your Majesty luts wrongfully
266 THEODORE REACHES MxVGDALA. Chap. XXIV
detained in captivity shall be immediately released and sent in safety to Ihe British Camp. Should your ^Majesty fail to comply •with this demand, I am further commanded to enter your Majesty's country at the head of an army to enforce it, and nothing will arrest my progress until the object shall have been accomplished.
" My Sovereign has no desire to deprive you of any part of your dominions, nor to subvert your authority, although it is obvious that such would in all probability be the result of hostilities.
" Your Majesty might avoid this danger by the immediate surrender of the prisoners.
"But should they not be delivered safely into my hands, should they suffer a continuance of ill treatment, or should anj- injury befall them, your Majesty will be held personally respon- sible, and no hope of future condonation need be entertained."
Ibth. — Eeceived a letter from Mr. Flad to-day, wherein he informed me that the King had broached the subject of the impending invasion to his European artisans. The feeling which pervaded Theodore's mind, in anticipation of that event, is so clearly indicated by his utterances on the oc- casion, that I shall give them in Mr. Flad's own words : —
^' Boyal Camp, Dalanta, 11th February, 1868.
" You will be glad to hear that his Majesty informed Mr. Waldraeier, on Friday last, that he had received news from the coast that the English had disembarked at Zoolah ; and on Satur- day morning he called me aside and told me, ' The people of whom you brought me a letter, and of whom you said that they will come, have arrived, and disembarked at Zoolah, and they are coming up by the salt plain. Why did the}- not choose a better road? The road by the salt plain is very Tinhealthy.* I said, that as they bring their troops from India, they could not take a better road than this. From the sea-coast they would, in three or four days, reach the alps of Agamay ; and that with little difficulties, as already, at the time of King Fasil, the rortuguese had made a way up, and the salt plain they would leave to their left. He then said, ' Wo are making roads, and what will it be to them but playing to make roads
18G8. Feb. DALANTA ATTAINED. 267
everywhere ? Well,' he said, ' it seems to mo to be the wtU of God that they come. If He who is above does not kill me, none will kill me ; and if He says, yon must die, no one can save me. Iiemember the history of Hezekiah and Sennacherib.' His Majesty did not say more, but this he said most solemnly. To-day he said to Messis. AValdmcier, Saalmuller and Bender, ' T long for the day on which I shall have the pleasure to see a disciplined European army. I am like Simeon who would rejoice, having the Saviour in his arms ; but he was old and died, and I am old too, but I hope God will spare mo to see them. I am no more proud of my soldiers. A\'e are nothing in comparison to a disciplined army, where thousands of men act on the command of one man.'
" On Friday he said to ^Ir. ^^'aldmeicr, ' "We liave a pro- phecy that the time will come when an European King will meet with an Abyssinian King in this country; and the Europeans will then take their mouthful and speak the tnith before the people of this country; and after this time a great King will reign in Abyssinia, as great as none will have been before him. This time has come.' Ho said, 'but I don't know whether I shall be that great King, or some one else.' From all he now and then says, the Europeans here maho their conclusions, that he is glad that they are coming, and that ho thinks only of a re- conciliation, and that nothing is to bo feared for any Europeans in his hands."
In the afternoon, messengers arrived from the royal camp to announce the King's arrival on the Dalauta plateau, with all his guns and mortars. They brought me a most polite message from his ^[ajesty, and I was cUlightod to find that lio had not sent for us. A salute was fired from the fortress on the receipt of the foregoing intelligence. If Theodore's circumstances and prospects hardly warranted such a fcu- Je-Juii'^ the feat of having transported liuge pieces of artillery through the deep and difTicnlt valley of the Chetta, witii tliousands of rebels liovering around him, certainly did.
Ujth. — Unlike all other Churches, the Al)yssinians begin
'268 THEODORE REACHES ^lAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
their Lent on Monday ; consequently, those who up to yester- day (Simday) feasted on raw beef and mead, or beer, look rather downcast this morning. Messengers, escorted by my Dalanta agents as far as the fortress, reached me from the coast to-day, with money.
11th. — Dispatched letters to the British camp tliis morn- ing, under the protection of the same escort. Three hours after they had started, the astounding news reached Mag- dala that the King had broken faith with the Dalanta people, wlio, since accepting his amnesty, had done all in their power to assist him. Not only had they helped in trans- porting the guns and heavy baggage through the Chetta valley, but tliey had fed the royal army from the beginning of January. I deplored this fresh outrage, especially on .account of my agents, I'rkina and his cousins, who had left their families to the tender mercies of the ungrateful King, to accompany the messengers bringing the money. The intelligence reached them just as they were entering Dalanta ; nevertheless, they sent to tell me, by a special courier, that the letters were safe, and that I was to be in no anxiety about them. " Although our property has been plundered, and our families probably slain" — so said they to the mes- sengers who were going down to the coast — " we may not neglect Mr. Rassam's business by sending you back to Mag- dala with the letters. God's will be done! but we shall be faithful to our benefactor."
ISi/t. — The road between ]\rag(lala and the royal camp is entirely closed by the peasants of J )alanta and Dawuut, who have taken up a position in the Uashilo, and sworn to kill any one attempting to convey coniniunications between the King and the Magdala garrison. On the morning of the 20th, the messengers whom T had dispatched to collect what infer-
1808. Fef,. submission OF DALAXTA. 269
mation they could respecting tlic proceedings at the royal camp, and the fate of my agents' families, returned to report that the Dalanta people had fought bravely, and killed a number of the royal troops, when attacked by the latter ; but that his Majesty had seized a number of helpless women and children, among whom were several of I'rlcina's relatives. I was glad to learn, three days after, that these captives had been released by Theodore.
The circumstances connected ^vitll this contest were as follows : — the Wakslmm Gobaze -having fiiiled to render the Dalanta people any assistance, the only alternative they had was to submit. All the Chiefs accordingly went to Theodore in a body and asked forgiveness. They were received most courteously, and the King called them his beloved children, and said, " IIow can I blame you for submitting to the rebels, when I rendered you no protection ? Can I forget the assistance you have always rendered to my JMagdala garri- son ? Would they not have starved, if you had not provided them with food? Come nearer to me, all of you, my children and friends, as I cannot see too much of you. I shall treat you all well for your good conduct to-day, that the world may Iniow how well you have deserved my gratitude." The Dawiint people subsequently followed their example.
After these people had submitted, tin- King ^\as able to communicate freely with 3Iugdala. lie made them transport all his heavy baggage, and by their assistance managed to send all his prisoners to the fortress, and to go on with his road-making and moving the guns. At the same time they had to ferd his nhiio-t faniish('<l army; to giiiid and bake as well as to provide tlio grain ! On reaching the plateau of Dalanta, he asked the Chiefs why they had not submitt'd i:ii-1i<-i-, rmd <«ti llirij- jin-;\\*'ring that they Mere
270 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
prevented by the Gallas and the "Walcshum Gobaze, he told them they were as bad as the others, and ordered them to be phmdered. They offered no resistance to this outrage ; but, knowing that Theodore was not to be trusted, they had taken the precaution of keeping most of their cattle out of his reach, and had always remained on their guard. Conse- quently, when the King further ordered them to be attacked, they all fought bravely, and, in conjunction with the inhabit- ants of Dawunt, killed a great number of his soldiers and seized their mules and arms. As the two clans mustered about 10,000 men, they might have put an end to Theodore's reign at this time ; but they had not the courage to assume the offensive, and were without a commander to lead them on. Had his Majesty kept faith with these people, the dis- tricts of Wadala and Yadjow would have submitted before many days were over. Indeed, it was reported that a depu- tation from the latter was coming to him with proposals to that effect ; but on hearing of the King's treachery, they re- turned to their country more quickly than they had left it.
For some time after, nothing was heard of the King, as all the roads were closed around him by tlie Gallas, as well as by the Amharas. Had not his tents been visible from jMag- dala, we should have inferred that he had either gone back to Debra Tabor, or had been utterly routed, as a messenger might easily have come from his camp in less tlian five hours; yet a fortnight elapsed and no news from him reached us. Tlie Magdala Chiefs, however, were watching his movements, and reported to me daily tliat he was ap- proaching nearer and nearer.
I take this opportunity of remarking that tlie term "Amhara," as now used l)y tlie Abyssinians, in an ethno- logical sense, designates the inhabitants of tlic country lying
1SG8. MAncii. POSTS TO THE BRITISH CAiir. 271
west of the Tukkaze, and also soutli of that river, as far as the province of Gojjjam. Socially the word indicates a native Christian, in coutra-distiuction to Jews, Mussulmans and Kamants. It is also frequently applied to Christians gener- ally ; for on several occasions I overheard Abyssinians, in speaking of us amongst themselves, describe us as " Amharas," when they wished to distinguish us from " Turks."
2nd March. — ]\Iessengers arrived from the coast with money, escorted to within three miles of the fortress by the Dalanta agents, from whence they were brought on by Galla guides. The day following, I dispatched a post to the British camp, through the same medium. The roads are so unsafe now that I have to employ no less than six agents and guides to transmit the letters, from one place to another, as far as the Takkaze. The letters are not consigned to the messengers until they are beyond danger. When travelling through a district where there is a chance of their being seized by the Kings adherents, they carry a note from me addressed either to Colonel Merewether or M. Munzinger, containing a request for money, and are instructed, in case of arrest, to say that tliey are my servants, proceeding to the coast for supplies. Very frequently, I forbear giving the messengers any letters, lest they should be seized. In such cases, I give the men an impression of my signet-ring in sealing-wax, as a token both to the King's people and to the rebels that they are employed in my service.
\ih. — Couriers arrived tu-day from the royal camp for the lirst time since the 17th of February. They brought me a message from his Majesty, bidding me keep up my spirits, as we should soon meet ; they also reported that the King had efiVcted the descent of the Bashilo. The couriers were four hours on the road.
272 THEODORE KEACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
i^th. — Messengers arrived this afternoon from the British camp, Tlie Commandant and other Chiefs of the garrison read Sir Eobert Napier's nltinjatum again, and approved of my having detained it. All that I could say in reply to their repeated questions as to the probable upshot of the existing complications ^vas, that I hoped they would be adjusted amicably.
Courier after courier arrived with polite messages from the King on the 7th and 8th. One of these was : — " I am so near you now, that I must not ask you, how have you passed the time ? but must bid you ' Good morning.' " (This remark illustrates the prevailing usage among the Abyssinians, who have an appropriate salutation for a number of sections into which they divide the day.) Mrs. Flad received the King's permission to leave the camp and reside at IMagdala. His Majesty's instructions were, that she should have a house near our inclosure, and be allowed to visit me. Mrs. Rosen- thal also might communicate with her.
On the 9th I dispatched messengers to tlie British camp, but they returned the following morning, not having found the Dalanta agents at the rendezvous ; the latter had been driven away by the Gallas, owing to the recent breach be- tween them and the Dalanta jieople. However, on the 15th I'rkina managed to let me know that he had sent guides to take the messengers through the disturbed districts to their destination. The British force was now reported as having approached the Takkazc.
In addition to a comjjlimcntary note from the King, I received a few lines to-day from Mr. Flad, telling me that liis j\Iajesty had given out that, in the event of our people treating him well, everything would be satisfactorily ar- ranged ; otherwise, a " blood-bath " would be the consequence..
18C8. March. THE AUTHOR UNFETTERED. 273
On the 16tli I sent Theodore a complimentary letter, through Dasta, congratulating him on the feat which he had achieved in bringing his heavy guns tlirough the difficult valleys. On the 18th I received a note from M. Muuzinger, who was then at Koso-Amba — about two days' journey for a good messenger when the roads are safe — informing me that he had been dispatched in front by the Commander- in-Chief to reconnoitre the route, and also to communicate with me. In the afternoon, Dasta returned from the royal camp, and informed me that his Majesty had sent Mr. Flad, Alaka I'ngada and Yashalaka Lih, with an order directing that I should be released from my chains. Accordingly, shortly after, these officei-s appeared, accompanied by the niembei*3 of the Council and the officers commanding the trooj)s, uU dressed in their fine silk shirts and looking much pleased. They evidently thought that matters were about to be brought to a favourable termination.
The first thing the royal Commissioners did was to place iu my hands a letter from the King. This, agreeably with native usage in like cases, I opened, and then caused it to be read in public. It was as follows: —
(Mter compliments.)
" Oh, my friend, I have no qnancl with yon, nor have I any rancour towards you. Formerly, wlien I sent you to Mtigdala, I told my people to watch you only, but they sent me an answer that, out of precaution, tlicy had i)ut you in chains; but now wlicn I, yoiir friend, am hrouglit by (Jod near you, your chains shall be opened ; but until 1 see the object of your masters [Governmenl,] wo will watch you, but without chains.
"Mr. Flad brought you Ktores and money from your country, which ho made over to mo. My country was then in rebellion, anil 1 had no bearers to convey them to you ; they have tliercforo been wasted. You will receive from Mr. Flad, Alaka rnj^adii and Vatjhiilaka Lib the kuiu of 2,000 dollars in lieu of the
vol.. II. T
274 TDEODOEK RExVCHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
things jovL liavo lost; also 100 sheep and 50 cows, wliich I hopo you will accept.
" If, by the power of Gotl, I reach you safely, and see you face to face, I will consult with you. Be of good cheer."
Some of the Chiefs assisted in striking off my fetters, whilst others placed their fingers between the flesh and iron to pre- vent my ankles from being hurt. I was greatly disappointed to find that my fellow-captives, especially the members of the Mission, ^^ ere not included in the dispensation, and on first hearing the contents of the letter I had resolved to decline the royal favour. Luckily, I was better advised, and ac- cepted the boon with simulated pleasure; otherwise, as I was assured on all hands, matters would have been brought to a dangerous crisis, either by our being all consigned to the common jail, or sent for by the King, who would not have failed to make us feel his displeasure.
19th. — I wrote the following reply to the King, asking him at the same time to relieve my companions of their chains : —
" I have had the honoTir of receiving your Majesty's kind letter by Mr, Flad, Alitka I'ngiida and Yashdlaka Lih, and was glad to learn therefrom that your Majesty was in the enjoyment of perfect health.
" I am much obliged for your Majesty's kind consideration in having released mo from my chains. May the Lord reward you for all your acts of kindness.
" Your Majesty has alwaj^s tried to befriend mo sinco my arrival in your countiy ; and I trust it will not be long before you perfect my joy by granting a similar boon to my com- panions.
"I return you my best thanks for having sent me by Mr. Flad, Aliika. I'ngadiX and Yaslialaka Lih, two thousand dollars ; alsa one hundred sheep and fifty cows, which I have received with pleasure."
18G8. ;Marcu. judicial INVOCATIONS. 275
The cows were miserably loan ; the flesh of those which Ave had slaughtered was uneatable, and finding that they were not valued even as a gift by those to whom I thought of offering them, I sent the remainder to pasture near the Basliilo river, under the charge of one of my Galla agents A\ho resided in that locality. They \\ere carried off a few days after by the royal troops, together with other herds of cows, when the King, as will be noticed in the sequel, ordered the plunder of all the peasants between the Bashilo and ^fagdala. Of the sheep, twenty had died on the road ; tlie rest, which were in a most wretched condition, having been without food for three days, I disposed of as presents ta different parties, who, I believe, only killed them for the sake of the skins, which, when tanned, the Abyssinians use to sit upon.
In the afternoon the royal couriers brought a message from the King, congratulating me on my being relieved of my fetters. If not fatalists, men in authority among the Abyssinians practically reject the doctrine of free-will in their official capacity. It is a common custom with them, on com- mitting an individual to prison, to conclude the judicial sen- tence with the prayer, "And may CJod set you free!" On releasing the cul[»rit, the same magistrate will piously say to him, "The Lord hath delivered you."
In the course of the day I forwarded the latest intelligence to the British camp, througli M. IVIun/inger ; and the day following I received a communication from Colonel IMore- WL'thor, reporting his arrival at Antalo and the progi-ess of tlio invading force. I also received an answer from the King, inquiring how I had passed the nip:ht, and exjiress- ing a hope that God would "bring us together propitiously." but without any allusion whatever to the request which T
T 2
276 THEODOKE EEACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
had made that my companions should be freed from their fetters.
21st. — Dispatched Dasta, my interpreter, with an answer to the King, and received intimation from Mr. Flad that his Majesty had promised to unshackle my companions when he met me. Dasta returned, accompanied by two royal com-iers, with the following message from Theodore, who was too busily engaged in blasting rocks to write : — " A good day to you, my friend. I am now so near that I can see the top of your house plainly ; and if you come out and look down you will see my tent. Our meeting is at hand."
Eeceived two communications from M. Munzinger to-day. He is now in Dalanta, only a few hours' journey from Magdala.
22nd. — Bitwaddad Hailo, one of the members of the Magdala Council, made his escape last night by means of a ladder. He dreaded meeting the King, as his cousin Balam- baras Gabra-Madhane 'Alam, Governor of Wandige men- tioned at pp. 74 and 90, had rebelled, and it was extremely probable that as the principal was beyond his reach, Theodore would visit his defection on the Bitwaddad. Dispatched messengers to the British camp.
The King forwarded all his valuables to-day, including a bar of gold fourteen inches long and four inches square, to be deposited in the Treasury ; he also sent me his compli- ments, which I reciprocated.
23rd. — The advanced guard of the royal army, commanded by Fit-awrari Gabrie, encamped on the Salamge plateau this afternoon. The remainder of the Kino-'s effects were lodired in the Treasury to-day. An interchange of courteous mes- sages between his Majesty and myself.
24.th. — Received an intimation from Theodore that he had
18G8. March. THE KING AT SALAMGfi. 277
reached the foot of Saldsse, with all his guns and mortars. He was engaged in repairing the road leading from tlie base of Fala to the saddle which joins that mountain to Salasse. (Vide Plan of the Amba Magdala.)
2Dtk. — This morning his Majesty unshackled three Rases — I'ngada, the Prime 3Iinister ; Tagga, the Commander-in- Chief ; and Barrako, a courtier ; also Moritz Hall, the Pole. The poor fellows had been dragged in chains from Debra Tabor — the two former hand to hand ; the latter with the right hand attached by a chain to their fetters. In the even- ing Mr. Flad came to me with a complimentary message from the King, accompanied by Bitwaddad I'amash and three Dajazmatshes. They were all wet through to the skin with the heavy rain. His jMajesty announced to me, through them, that he should sleep at Salamge that night. All the members of the Magdala Council, including Ras Bisawwir, were summoned to the royal presence this evening, and were graciously received by the King. The de jure Queen Teru- Wark, and her son Dajjaj 'Alamayo, as well as the favourite <|ueen, Itamanyo, were also ordered down to Salamge this evening, but before they started the King sent to say that ho would not sec Teru-Wark, who was consequently obliged to remain behiml.
2»JM. — Received a message from the King this morning, aj)prising me that as there was now oidy a "span" between us, our meeting would soon take place. A silk tent and carpets were ordered down to Sala:nge, and it was generally supiiosed that his ^[ajesty intended to send for me during the day ; however, if such had been Ids intention, he subsequently ohaiigrd his mind. Poor Samuel is sadly dejected, owing to tlie KiuL' liiivini; taken no notice (jf him. lOvcrv one else in
278 THEODORE REACHES MAGDALA. Chap. XXIV.
Magdala, whether chiefs, coui-tiers, priests, or servants, has been allowed to pay his respects to the Sovereign, while the disgraced Baldaraba has received a hint to stay away. A note with some money reached me this afternoon from M. Munzinger.
During the day Theodore dismantled Magdala of all its artillery, ammunition, and other warlike stores, and had them conveyed to Salamge. This proceeding was evidently de- signed to indicate that, if called upon to fight, he intended to meet the enemy in the open field.
1868. Mabch. THEODORE ENTERS MAGDALA. 279
CHAPTER XXV.
THEODORE AT MAGDALA.
Theodore enters Magdala — Tries two Priests for defamation and three Chiefs for treason — He returns to Saliinige — His messac^e to the Author about the advance of the British troops — Changes the llagdahx garrison
— The European Captives placed under strict watch — Bitwdddad Ilasani, as a soldier and a man — Old acquaintances among our new guard — Magdala garrison reinforced — Wc burn our pa^^ers — Theo- dore's second visit to the fortress — Receives the Author in state — His altered appearance — His condescension on the occasion — Is undecided whether he will fight the British or not — Requests the Author to see him buried, in the event of his death — His miscellaneous conversation
— Unshackles Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, and receives them graciously — The King " in labour " — Introduces Prince 'Alamayo to the Author — Abuses his Chiefs at Salamge — Asks them if they are prepared to fight the British — Damash's reply — A sally from Magdala against the Gallas, an episode — Origin of the expedition — Theodore's channed riflo — A night attack — The Amhiiras are successful — Arc I)ursued by the Gallas on their return march — Rout of the Amharas — Letters from the British force at Ashangi — The Mission invited to insjKJct the great mortar, " Sevastopol " — Theodore's queries on Euro- ix;an warfare — Recounts his troubles — Complains again of Consul Cameron and Mr. Stem — Contrasts his soldiers with the British troops
— All the European Captives are unshackled — The Author's proiK)sal to report his Mjijesty's recent civility to Sir Robert Xapier declined — Theodore is anxious for news from tlie British camp — Esjiies some of our troojs descending into the Bashilo valley.
2~th. — Theodore ent<?rcd the fortress this mominjx, find on passing through the gate sent me a message, that he hoped to see me soon. After performing In's devotions in the church, he proceeded to the open space in front of our prison-liouse, wlioro a tcniporaiy throne had been erected for liiui, and the ground around covered witli carpets. There was quite a
280 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV,
panic among the inhabitants, as no one knew what these pre- parations portended, and the King's most cherished friend felt that his life trembled in the balance. On taking his seat, Theodore first sent for Samuel, a summons which created no little alarm among our small community. Tliis was dis- pelled, however, a few minutes after by the announcement that the disgraced oflBcial had been well received by his royal master, and that my interpreters, who were standing outside our inclosure to do obeisance to the King as he passed^ had been gi-aciously noticed by his Majesty and asked how I fared. The next case brought forward was that of two priests, who had publicly called the King a " Frank " to his face for having foiled — so they had heard — to keep the Lenten fast, and for having granted a similar dispensation to those of his soldiers who preferred meat and butter to dry bread. When arraigned before him, his Majesty denounced the culprits as " fools " and " asses " for their meddling, and then ordered them to be unfettered and forthwith banished from Magdala. " If I find you in my camp again," was the judge's valedictory, " I will have you fiogged." The wretched priests received the sentence with doAvncast looks and without uttering a word ; inwardly in ecstasy, however, at having got off so easily, as every one in the place had expected that they would have been condemned to be hurled over the fatal precipice. How we all envied their summary banishment, and wished that a similar fate awaited ourselves, even with the superadded disgrace of being kicked out of the loathsome place !
The case of the priests disposed of, the whole garrison was then summoned to attend the trial of three of its Chiefs for high treason, namely, Ras Bisawwir, the Commandant, who' was cousin to the King, and Bitwaddad Damash — both mem-
1868. March. A. TRIAL FOR TREASON. 2S1
bers of the Council — and one of the petty military Chiefs, who were severally accused of having invited Menilek of Shoa, "the Usurper," to come and invest Magdala with his army. A great number of witnesses were called to give evidence, but as the King himself acted as judge and jury as well as prosecutor in the case, a conviction was inevitable. Damash seemed utterly cowed in the presence of his royal master; but the Ras and the military Chief indignantly repelled the false allegations, and undertook to prove, if his Majesty m ould grant them time, that some of the witnesses had themselves been guilty of holding treasonable communi- cations with iMenilek. This, however, did not suit Theodore's object ; so, after listening to the charges and counter-charges against the fidelity of his Magdala '•children," and taking into his royal consideration tlie fact that one of their great Chiefs had lately decamped with the connivance of others who still formed jmrt of the garrison, his Majesty came to the conclusion that he could no longer trust them with the defence of the fortress, and accordingly ordered them to prepare to go down to Salamge, from whence fresh troops were to be sent to replace them.
The charge alleged against the Commandant was utterly without foundation ; his loyalty to Theodore was unimpeach- able. Had he really \\ish('(l to sunviuler ^lagdala to Meni- lek, or to any other rebel Chief, during the royal absence, no one would have dared to oppose him. The fact is, his jMujesty, for reasons best known to himself, wanted to send a fresh garrison to the fortress ; but as it was not in his nature to act straightforwardly, he trumped up this case against the two Chiefs, who had been foremost in encouraging the troops to resistance, when IMenilek aj[)pcared before Magdala. The announced change of the garrison caused me no little concern.
282 TIIEODOriE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
not only on account of the loss of many old and faithful friends wliich it would involve, but because I apprehended that it was the forerunner of still more serious consequeuces, especially as I had received private intimation that we were to be watched day and night by a large guard, some of whom Avere notorious for their antipathy to foreigners.
The Court closed at ten o'clock, and Theodore returned to Salamge without fulfilling his promise of visiting me. On passing our inclosure he sent me the following message by Aito Samuel and my interpreters : " I hope you will excuse me for not having come to see you, as I intended. I have liad some disputes among my IMagdala people to settle, and am now rather excited; I trust, however, to meet you shortly. Your brothers [British troops] are coming to liberate you. I am prepared to meet them, by the power of God." His Majesty fully expected a reply to this communica- tion by Aito Samuel and my interpreter, for, on leaving the fortress on his return to Salamge, he gave orders that the former should be allowed to pass, in the event of his being sent down witli a message from mo. The interpreter, as well as our Indian servants generally, had always been allowed that privilege from the time of our confinement in Magdala; but Samuel was treated as a iirisoner on parole. The answer which I sent was to the following effect : that I hoj)ed to see his Majesty ere long ; \\ ith regard to the British troops, I remarked that as I had come to Abyssinia on a friendly mission, my sincere hope ^\•as that I should leave the country in peace. To this Theodore replied in these "words, through the messengers : " As far as I am concerned, I am desirous of nothing but peace; and I pray God that your brothers are coming with a good intention." I judged it prudent to take no notice of the delicate topic thus broached.
1868. March. THE NEW COMMANDANT. 283
especially on fiuding, shortly after tlie delivery of the message, that we were surrounded by a host of new jailors who liad been sent to guard us most strictly, and who eyed us witli evident animosity. As soon as the King reached Salamge, he dispatched a thousand men to the fortress under the command of Bitwaddad Hasani, a native of IMeteha, and one of those lucky men who had never incurred the royal displeasure. His orders were, to take charge of the Treasury and all its appurtenances, and then to see that all the native and European prisoners were made over to him, after due identification. Wlien the Abyssinian captives had boon thus consigned to their keeping, all the new officials came to our quarters, accompanied by the old Chiefs, to go through a similar form. We were all summoned to be counted, but just as I was leaving my room I was told to remain where I was, as, not being tlien in chains, the King had not given any instruc- tions about my enumeration with the rest, and that when the new Commandant had finished his task outside he would look in nj)on me. That, however, he declined to do, on the plea that his master had not ordered him to count me, and that on no other ground could he venture to approach me without the King's special permission. Although I received many visits subsequently from this Cliief, by Theodore's orders, he uniformly refused to be seated in my room, and only once ventured to enter it, alleging as a reason that evil-disposed people miglit be led to say of him, as they ht\d of others, that lie had sold himself to me. lie swore that, for the same reason, he would not oven take a cup of cofTc^e with me ; nevertheless, ho pledged his word to befriend jnc and to assist me in obtaining anything I stood in noeil of; '"but," ho add(;d, "if ordered by the King to do a certain duty, no matter what it may be, I shall discharge it faithfully, as I
284: THEODOKE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
am bound to do, without the least regard to private friend- ship." The austere Chief was quite correct in his apprecia- tion of the Magdala people, for there were some even among the Europeans who doubted whether a native was capable of a generous action, except at the price of a gratuity or bribe. On the other hand, I can vouch for many a good turn done me by Abyssiniaus who absolutely refused any remuneration for their services. Moreover, there was not a courtier, royal messenger, or Chief, who would not have befriended me as far as lay in his power, and whose conjoined friendship, if only available on purchase — seeing that many of them were in possession of our secrets — would have necessitated an out- lay of at least half a million of dollars, and even then I should still have been as much in their power as ever.
After Bitwaddad Hasani left me, I found to my great delight that three of the new guards placed in charge of us were old acquaintances of mine, who still remembered the night of the 3rd of July, 1866, when they were appointed to a similar duty during our confinement in the Treasury at Debra Tabor. On being introduced to me this evening, they reminded me how they had been turned out into the wet and cold by the King, who paid me a visit tliere, and how after his Majesty's departure I had called them in and directed Samuel to provide them with refreshments.
28th. — This morning Theodore countermanded the re- moval of the old Magdala troops to Salamge ; the new garri- son was to reinforce the place, but all the former Chiefs, with the exception of r>it\\addad Wasi, were to be deprived of their commands. At about 10 P.M. Bitwaddad Hasani came within our iuclosure, bringing orders from the King that all my fellow-captives were to sleep in one room, and to be strictly guarded, and tliat I also should be watched in my
1868. March. WE ARE STRICTLY GUARDED. 285
hut during the night. Luckily, Mrs. Eosenthal was not in- chided in the arbitrary order. It was clear that our fortunes were entering a new phase, and that still greater trials awaited us. The King sent me no message to-day, so that altogether our prospects Avere very gloomy. As one hut was not large enough to contain the twelve captives, they were located in the hut of my companions, and in that of Messrs. Stern and Rosenthal. Two of my old acquaintances were appointed to watch me, and as Samuel had been ordered to keep me company, he also considered himself in the light of a prisoner. My watchmen gave me no trouble ; they were exceptionally clean in their dress, and never used butter on their heads, which they kept close shaved ; and as Samuel generally washed his hair with hot A\ater and soap, I was spared the usual disagreeable odour arising from the per- sons of the natives. The men ensconced themselves near the door, as far from my bedstead as possible, and fell asleep as soon as I re-occupied it. There were at least one hundred soldiers on guard over us during the night, and not one of our servants was allowed to stir from his place. By way of consolation, Bitwaddad Hasani sent to tell me, before his return to the royal camp, that I was not to attribute the stringent measures which he had taken to the King ; they had emanated entirely from himself, as the party respon- sible for our safe custody. The message was kindly meant, but I was fully aware at the time that he would as soon have cast himself over the Magdala precipices as place a guard within my room without special orders from his master. The fact is, the friendly disposition of the Chiefs generally led them to do all in their power to prevent an open rupture between mo and the King, while there was still a chance of matters beiujr broujirht to a favourable termination.
286 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
29i7i. — By the advice of the old Chiefs and Aito Samuel,
1 sent a message to the King, informing him that I had slept well and hoped he had spent a comfortable night. To this I received a prompt reply, assuring me that, owing to my good wishes, his Majesty was in excellent spirits. At about
2 P.M. it was announced that Theodore was coming to the fortress, and as the people generally expected anything but a propitious visit from their Sovereign, especially after their experience of his proceedings on the last occasion, we were anxious to rid ourselves of all documents likely to compro- mise us in any way, to prevent their possible seizure by his Majesty's orders. Accordingly, each began secreting what papers he could in the thatch of the roof, burning those which could not well be disposed of in that manner. At this time I had some most dangerous letters in my posses- sion, and that same afternoon a messenger had arrived with a missive from Menilek, King of Shoa, inclosing Lord Stanley's dispatch to him of the 19th of August, 1867, which he wished me to translate. I had also a letter from the Wakshum Gobaze, referrmg to different subjects con- nected with the march of the British troops; and another from Imam Ahmed, the Chief of the Wello-Gallas, request- ing me to surrender the fortress to him, and promising, in the event of my acceding to the proposal, to conduct me to the coast with honour and safety ! I tried at first to conceal all these papers in the roof of my hut, but my Abyssinian friends advised me not to trust to such an expedient, assuring me that if Theodore intended to institute a search, the roof would not stand in his way. I accordingly committed the whole to the flames, together with the English document.
At 3 P.M. his Majesty entered the fortress, and on passing our liouse he sent Mr. Flad to say that he had come up on
1868. Maech. another OF THEODORE'S MOTIVES. 287
'business, and if possible he would call upon me. I said in reply that I should be happy to meet him. Mr. Flad re- turned immediately after with the following answer : —
" I am going to visit the church of my country. I have been called ' Frank ' by some of my priests. I am not ashamed of the name, because both you and I believe in one Trinity, which is the foundation of the Christian faith. Had I been accused of being a ^Mohammedan, or of any other sect of un- believers, I should have acted differently towards those bad priests. I would rather lose my head than hold any other faith save that in Christ. Prepare yourself to meet me."
Soon after Mr. Flad, Mr. ]\Iayer was sent with the sub- joined message : —
" The reason I have ill-treated you was because I wanted the people of your country to come to me. I am glad they are coming. Whether they beat me or I beat them, I shall always bo your friend. I wish to have an interview with you on the plain outside your house, and I want you to appear before me in the same dress in which you used formerly to come to me. I will send for you when I am ready."
I lost no time in putting on my uniform, and was barely dressed when Bitwaddad Hasani appeared with a summons for me to repair to the King's presence. ]\Icssrs. Flad and Mayer, and Aito Samuel, accompanied me to the royal pavilion. Thoro were as many as five hunch'ed officers in attendance, all anxiously waiting to witness my reception by their Sovereign — who it appears had been in a bad humour throughout the day, and just before my arrival had worked himself into a towering rage by recalling to mind tlie late Metropolitan and some of my fellow-captives, swearing in liis fury that lie would pierce the latter through and through with the lance which he held in his hand ; and then, suiting the action to the word, aimed at a new carpet and drove the
288 THEODOEE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
weapon into it. Under these circumstances, tlie bystanders augured anything but a favourable reception being accorded to me ; but on my arrival his ]\Iajesty immediately changed his demeanour, and appeared quite gay. The same tent in which he had received the Mission on our first interview with him in Damot, at the end of January, 1866, was pitched in front of our prison-house for the occasion, and about 2,000 square yards of ground in the immediate vicinity were covered with carpets. When I left our inclosure, the King Avas inside the tent, together \vith all his European artisans, but on my approach he walked towards the tent door to welcome me. I was glad to notice a smile on his countenance, and as I deemed it prudent to put the best face upon our misfor- tunes, I endeavoured to look as pleased as if I had never been l)ut into chains by the despot, and were not even then his prisoner. He received me most courteously, with his shcimma thrown loosely over his shouldei-s, extending his right arm to shake me by the hand, remarking that, on that day, " we must all be English."
As soon as we had sat down, I on his Majesty's right hand and the European artisans on his left, in a circle round the tent, the King told me that the reason he had dis- pensed with his throne on that occasion was, that he wished to sit on the same level with me, his friend, and the represen- tative of the Queen of England. He then looked pointedly at me, and said, "Why, ]\Ir. Eassam, I heard that you had become quite gray ; but I do not see one gray hair on your head. Look at me, and see how gray I have become since we parted." I was certainly surprised to see what a great change had ttdccn plac(! in tlic colour of his hair, and also in his countenance, since my last interview with him at Debra Tidjor, at the end of June, 1806. There were only a few gray
18G8. March. INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 289
hairs visible then ; now the gray largely predomiuatcd, and he looked altogether ten years older. To give the subject a jocular turn, I replied, " It is not to be wondered at that your Majesty has grown gray, considering that you have been enjoying the happiness of wedded life, whereas I am still unencumbered with the trouble and care of a wife." The banter contained in this reply drew a smile from the King, and placing his hands over his face he remarked, " There you hit me hard, my friend Rassam." Tej was then brought, and served in the tumblers which I had presented to him. The first glass filled was handed to him ; after tasting it, in accordance with Abyssinian usage, he rose a little and handed it to me, saying, "In our country drinking tej to- gether is a sign of friendship." His politeness on that occasion was extreme, and he was all smiles, except when alluding to the Bishop, Consul Cameron and the Ifev. Mr. Stern. I endeavoured to soothe him when he broached these topics, and succeeded in cooling him down. He referred several times to the impending war, sometimes saying that ho would fight even at the risk of being beaten ; and, then, that it would be absurd in him to think of encountering a disciplined army. In either case, he said, I should re- main his friend. " One day," he added, " you may see me (lead ; and wiiilc; you stand by my corpse, it may be that you will curse me for my bad conduct towards you. You may say then, * This wicked man ought not to bo buried ; let his remains rot above ground ; ' but I trust to your generosity." I again expressed a hope that, as I had come to his country as a friend, I should leave him in peace; and with reference to what he had said about his dealh, I be^rKcd that ho would not mention such a calamitv.
I may record here, as another proof of Theodere's excos- VOL. II. u
290 THEODORE AT MAG DAL A. Chap. XXV.
sive condescension on this occasion, that before the European artisans sat down he requested me to alloAV them to be seated. In spite of my remonstrance that it was his IMajesty's prerogative and not mine to give such directions, he in- sisted on my doing so, and then joined me in according the necessary permission.
The King then alluded to a report which had reached him of the English having invented a variety of improved guns and other fire-arms, and that such muskets as his own soldiers carried were out of date, and regarded as " rubbish " by the British Army. " However," he added, "■ as your troops are coming to take you away, I must watch over you, for I cannot let you leave me. It is true that I have put you in fetters, after the barbarous usage of my country — which I admit to be a bad custom ; but have you seen a hand-chain ? That, I assure you, is still worse to bear." He then went on to say that his only reason for detaining me was that he wanted my countrymen to come and " open his eyes." After this, he suddenly asked me who were the sons of Abraham. I replied, Isaac and Jacob. '• AVho were their sons?" was the rejoinder. Guessing what the royal catechist was driving at, I skipped over all inter- mediate genealogy, and said, '• David and Solomon." " And who was their son ? " was the next question ; to which I made answer, "From what I have heard, your Majesty is their offspring." Thereupon he laughed, and remarked that he wished for nothing more, and that if his enemies and those who abused him would only acknowledge him as such, he was ready to forgive them all. His IMajesty then intro- duced me to my old acquaintance, Afa-Negus Bahri, who was one of my guards the previous night, telling me that he had served under Ea^ 'Ali, and knew Plowden ; " and, being a very
18GS. March. THE KING IS MERRY. 291
old man," Theodore went on to say, '• lie will be able to tell you that the former Emperors of Abyssinia and the independent Chiefs very rarely saw a European — some of them, indeed, never saw one in the whole course of their lives, whereas I like them so much that I keep a number of them about me " — pointing to the six artisans, including 31. Bardel, who were sitting in the tent. I replied that in former times Abyssinia was only read of in books, but that his Majesty's name had become so notorious that even children knew who Theodore was. He then gravely asked, " Why ? " " Because," said I, " your Majesty has put me in chains." Xo sooner had I uttered this speech than he burst out laughing, and, looking towards the European artisans, exclaimed, " Hear what Eassam says ! Hear what Eassam says ! " One of them, named Zander, remarked, " ^Ir. Eassam has forgotten to mention America also." I rejoined, "If his ]\Iajesty will allow me, I will add the other two quarters of the globe as mcU." Thereat the King was so convulsed with laughter that all he could say was, " Oh, my friend, Eassam ! my friend ! " After a wliile, he proceeded to observe that two persons had accompanied me for whom he had neither love nor hatred ; but inasmuch as they had come to Abyssinia with me he would unfetter them for my sake, provided I stood security for them. I replied, that as they were my companions he would gratify me greatly by unchaining them, and that I would hold myself responsible for whatever Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux might do. On his requesting me to send and have them unshackled, I begged Mr. Flad and Aito Samuel to go on the errand. Tliey accordingly went, accompanied by Bitwuddad Ilasani, and allcr removing their fetters returned with the two oflicers, agreeably with the King's orders. His Majesty received them well, and assured
u 2
292 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
tliem they had nothing to fear, -whatever tiie upshot of the war might be. " You three be of good cheer," he continued, " because you are my chiklren, and came to me when you knew of my having imprisoned 3Ir. Cameron, and had heard of his doings." Then, turning to me, he likened himself to a woman with child, wlio might either bring forth a son or a daughter, or might die of miscarriage, and said that he looked to me to assist him in giving birth to a son ; to which he added, that a person might die either in youth, or old age, or in the prime of life, and expressed a hope that the last would not be his lot.
Referring next to his European employes, Theodoras remarked that they were compelled to make the cannons and mortars which he liad brought to Magdala, adding-, " They were as much obliged to cast them as you were to remain in Abyssinia ; indeed, I forced them to perform the task." Then, turning to Mr. Waldmeier, he stated that that esteemed servant of his had lost no opportunity of speaking to him in my favour, and that the only time he had been angry with him was when he had ventured to recommend that he, the King, should assume a friendly attitude towards the invading British force. (We had heard of this fact when it occurred, and that Mr. Waldmeier had narrowly escaped a beating for having presumed to offer such advice.) In the course of the interview Theodore, regarding me with a dis- consolate look, said in a subdued tone, " I hope, Mr. Kassam, that wlicn your peo})le [tlie liritish troops] arrive, they will not despise me because I am black ; God has given us all the same faculties and heart." Then, remembering what he had said to me at Zage, on the 25th of March, 18G6, about the guardianship of his sons, he inquired whether Dajjaj 'Alamayo luid been introduced to me. On my replying in the negative,.
18CS, Mauch. prince 'ALAilAYO. 293
he said to the lad, '' 'Alaiuayo, why do you not go to your father, Rassam ? " AVhereupon the boy approached and hissed the pillow on which I was leaning. After some further friendly conversation my companions and I were dismissed, his ]\[iijesty directing the young Prince and the European artisans to escort us back to our prison-house. Before his return to Salamge he ordered that no guards were to sleep either in my room or in that of my companions ; the remainder of tlic 'captives were to be watched as before. As Consul Cameron was unwell, the Chiefs, at the intercession of Samuel, allowed him to sleep in his own apartment, with ]Mr. Kerans to attend upon him ; but ^Messrs. Stern, Rosenthal and Pietro \sere obliged to sleep in one room, under a guard, until we were released. Wo were told afterw ards that the reason the King had caused us to be so strictly guarded the preceding night was owing to certain evil-disposed persons having reported that some of my party had been overheard boasting of the approach of the Pritish troops, and that his Majesty had conserpiently come up that afternoon with no friendly feelings towards the captives. Luckily, something hajDpened to please him after ho entered the fortress, which led him to treat me with unusual affability.
On reaching Salaingu, however, he had another access of ill-humour. Seating himself on a rock in front of the royal tent, ho summoned all the old ]\[agdala Chiefs before him, and began abusing them indiscriminately. The burden of his objurgation was that they were "asses," and did not untler- staud uui ; that they had allowed me to do as I pleased on the mountain, without any check ; that they had repeatedly sent to tell him that I was his friend, whereas I was in daily correspondence w ith my Government, urging them to dispatch an army to chastise him. *' You asses antl slaves," he went
29J: THEODORE AT MaGDALA. Cuap. XXY.
Oil to say, " Mr. Kassam has made fools of you and of me likewise by his professions of friendship for me. Did either you or your forefathers ever hear of a friend sending for troops to slaughter his friend's valiant men, ravish their wives, and reduce his people to bondage? Nevertheless, such a friend is Mr. Eassam, who, by playing upon your imagination, has managed to ingratiate himself into your favour. And yet the fiiult is mine, for I behaved unjustly towards him ; he came to me as a friend, and I treated him as an enemy. Tell me, however, if you are prepared to fight Eassam's brothers, who are coming against you with guns that dazzle the sight, and muskets that shoot and stab simul- taneously ? We must keep Eassam with us at all risks, and watch him with every eye, until I see what is about to happen." The disconcerted Chiefs were at a loss what to say to this diatribe : they hesitated to abuse me, fearing that Theodore might then turn against them and take my part ; they accordingly restricted themselves to assuring their liege lord that nothing would daunt them from carrying havoc
into the ranks of the " white b d asses, who had dared to
leave their own country to invade the dominions of the mighty King of kings." Poor Damash, who was imprudent enough to open his mouth on the occasion, received a severe rebuff from Theodore for having ventured to brag against the "sons of the English," whereas, as his Majesty con- temptuously reminded him, he was not a match even for the cowardly Gallas, wlio liad despoiled him of his arms and horses. This sneer levelled against the unfortunate Chief was in allusion to a sally made by a detachment of the IMagdala garrison upon the Woroliaimano, a sub-tribe of the AVello-Gallas, on the morning of the Gth of Sejitcmber, 18G7. As the affair occurred during our caj^tivity, and was attended
1807. Sept. THE KIXG'S CHARMED RIFLE. 295
•with a variety of circumstances illustrative of the mutual relations subsisting between the Amharas and their Galla neighbours, a succinct account of its origin and results may not be uninteresting to the reader.
Two days previous to the date above-mentioned Eas Bi.-awwir, the good-natured Commandant, under the pretext that they wanted to weed their adjacent corn-fields, had permitted a young Afa-Negus, named Masliisha, and Bajir- wand Kaufu, an officer attached to the Treasury, to go beyond the gates of the fortress. It was soon discovered, however, that both had deserted to one of the Galla villages on the south-east of 3Iagdala, and that Bajirwand had robbed the Treasury of a pair of pistols and a ride, which he made oflf with, the former secreted in a bag of chick-peas, which he told the guards at the gates he was going to sow, and the latter ostensibly as his own. The rifle belonged to the King, and was highly prized by him. It had been his companion from boyhood, and he alleged that he had borne it in all his battles. lie looked upon it as a talisman, and for greater security had sent it to ]\Iagdala at the end of 186G, believing — so it is said — that its possession would secure him greater renown than any of his predecessors. He entertained a similar notion with regard to ]\Iagdala itself, and the super- stition was shared by a number of his Chiefs, that even if despoiled of all his otlier territories, yet if he succeeded in retaining that Amba he would eventually go forth from thence, and reconquer his lost dominions, and subdue half the world besides. ^ly firm belief is, that this persuasion induced Theodore to repair to ^lagdala on hearing of tlie approach of the British force. As far as our interests were concerned, his credulity in this respect contributed in no small degree to the favourable termination of all our Abys-
290 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
sinian difficulties ; for if, instead of spending three months in the neighbourhood of that fortress, he had carried us off to some distant stronghold — his native Kwara, for instance — the war would have been indefinitely prolonged, and not one of the captives would have been rescued alive.
"When the 3Iagdala Chiefs found that the charmed rifle had been taken away, and that there was a chance of its being conveyed to King Menilek, in case the deserters succeeded in reaching Shoa, they decided to pursue the runagates to their hiding-place, which had been revealed to them by some Galla spies. This step, however, was in direct violation of the King's orders, who had forbidden the garrison to leave the fortress on any warlike expedition, and restricted their duties to protecting his family and guarding his throne and crown, which were deposited in the Treasury ; or, in plainer terms, they were to act on the defensive only. Of the two evils likely to incur the royal displeasure — the loss of the rifle and an interdicted raid — they chose the most hazardous ; for had the G alias been apprised of their approach, in the course of a couple of hours they might have mustered a body of live thousand horse, who would have effectually cut oif their retreat, and slaugh- tered and mutilated them wholesale, ere they retraced their steps over the fifteen miles of Wellu-CJalla plateau ^^hieh separated them from 3Iagdahi.* Luclcily for the assailants.
* The Gallas generally arc notorious for mntilalii)g all male prisoners, taken in war, in a most horrible manner. The same barbarous custom prevailed among the professedly Christian people of Shoa in the time of Sahela ScldssG, but was abolished by Theodore wlieu he conquered that country. In the present instance, the special grievance of the Amharas was enhanced by a desire to jjunisli the Worohaimano, for having killed many helpless women and children who had gone beyond the gates of Mdgdala to collect wuud and grass. These outrages occurred during the period of our cajitivity.
1867. Sept. A RAID ON THE GALLAS. 297
their enemies, who had ceased keeping watch since the King left the neighbourhood at the end of 1865, were fast asleep; ior who, thought they, among the Amharas would dare to cross the deep chasm which lay between them and Magdahx but the dreaded Theodore ?
The expeditionary force, ^\hich was headed by Bitwaddad Wasi, consisted of 150 Musketeers and 250 Lancers, the former commanded by Bitwaddad Damash, and the latter by Dajjaj Gojj6. They left Magdala at sunset, and before joining his detachment Damash called to take leave of me, and begged that in the event of his death I would look after his family. The wretched man evidently believed that ho was going ou a forlorn hope. They reached the village about midnight, and halted in a hollow till daybreak. It had been originally intended to surround the place at once, but just as they began to move some one reported that he heard a noi>:e ; of course, every one thought the same when the words of command " Listen ! " " Silence ! " were given. A council of \\ar was then held by the three members of C'ouucil and tlie petty Chiefs who were to load the assault, and it was unanimously decided that operations should com- mence forthwith. When within two hundred yards of the first hut, however, a squabble arose among the soldiers which of them should luvcst the Nillagc, ami whicli should engage in the attack — all bring ('(pially anxious to lake the latter duty, which allbrded a bettor prospect of plunder. Mtaiiuhilo, Afa-Xogus Mashisha and his companion, Avho had passed the niglitwith the local (Jalla Chief in a snudl hut at the other end of the village, situated in a wooded ravine, overhearing the wrangling among the soldiers, ami suspecting that something was in the wind, hurried out into the cover, where thoy awaited their hobt, who had mounted a
298 THEODOEE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXY.
horse and started off at full gallop towards another large Galla village, about three miles distant, to give the alarm. The Magdala Chiefs, on the other hand, finding all their efforts to maintain discipline unavailing, ordered the entire party to push on together. As the Galla Chiefs house was thought to contain the most desirable prizes, including the Chief himself, the two deserters, and the most valuable booty, a combined rush was made in that direction. After seizing and securing two of the Chief's cousins, his brother, wife and sister, together with three children, who were all fast asleep at the time, a general search was made for plunder and the two runaway officials. One hut where the Chief's horses were kept was attacked by a Christianized Galla, and two men showing fight in defence of their master's property were speared down by the assailant. Three others were killed in the village while attempting to escape ; the remainder, to the number of thirty-one souls, including women and chil- dren, who had not managed to get out of the way before day- light, were captured. It was then resolved by the Council to dispatch the prisoners in advance, together with all the cattle, horses and mules that had been seized, in charge of Dajjaj Gojje's Lancers, while Bitwaddad Damash and his Musketeers were to bring up the rear, to ward off pursuit. The Magdala warriors were in the highest spirits, congratu- lating themselves ujion having taught the Gallas a lesson which they were not likely soon to forget ; but their exulta- tion was premature. They continued their homeward journey for three hours without noticing any movement on the part of the enemy, when suddenly Galla horsemen were espied galloping towards them from every direction. At this junc- ture, Damash, who was about two miles behind the Lancers, judging that the Gallas would first attempt to rescue the
1867. Sept. THE AMIIARAS DEFEATED. 299
captives and the plunder — never dreaming that they would venture to attack a party armed with mnskcts — ordered liis men to push on and overtake their comrades. In less than half an hour about twenty horsemen approached, headed by th(3 Chief of the village, who was heard calling out to his followers to attack the Christian " Kafirs " and seize their muskets. In the mean time the assailants were receiving fresh additions to their numbers, the Gallas for twenty miles round having been apprised that something was amiss by the light of three burning houses whicli the jMagdala detachment had fired before they left the village. On recognizing the Galla Chief, the Musketeers bawled out, "Shoot him down!" whereupon a native of Kwara aimed at him and shot him dead. A couple of horses, also, were killed by the fire of the 2)arty, and five horsemen were wounded, tNvo of whom died shortly after. The lifeless body of the Chief was immediately picked up and borne away on horseback by his men, to the great relief of Damash, who was glad to see his deadly enemies retreat. This incident checked the Gallas for a time, and enabled the wary Gojje and Bitwaddad Wasi to descend into the valley with the j^risoners and booty, where they were safe from jiursuit. Meanwhile the Gallas had re-assembled in force, and poor Dam ash, who could not boast of being a good soldier, much less a leader, lost his wits. He was then about a mile from the difficult pass leading- down to the valley which surrounds Magdala, and instead of [)lacing his men whore they might easily have protected the rear of the Lancers and kept the Gallas at bay at the same time, he ordered them to " run." Thereupon, as might have been expected, a regular panic ensued among the soldiers ; all trie<l to bo the first to escape through the nan-ow pass, which admitted only a few abreast, and in that state of utter
300 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
disorganization — many of tbeni actually falling clown from sheer fright — they were pounced upon by about two hundred of the Galla horsemen, who dismounted and rushed upon the terrified Amharas with spears, swords and stones. Among the assailants on the occasion was one of Damash's own men, who used to thatch the roofs of our huts, and a\ ho had deserted to the Worohaimano a few days before. On recognizing his old commanding officer, who was rather infirm owing to long illness, and was consequently left iu the lurch, the fellow bawled out to his new associates, " There is that villain, Damash ; let us seize him alive ! " At the mention of his name, which was hated at Magdala and throughout the neigh- bourhood, a party of Gallas fell upon him and deprived him <jf his arms. They then endeavoured to secure him as a hostage, in order to exchange him against their captured countrymen, whose release was now hopeless, as they had already been conveyed into the valley. Damash would in- evitably have been borne away had not Easha Kasha, a countryman of his and one of his jjctty officers, bawled out to his men, " Shall we not be called cowards if we see our Chief carried off before our eyes, without attempting to rescue liim ? Shame upon us ! Let us go and deliver him out of the hands of the Muslim slaves." He accordingly returned with twenty Musketeers, and a well-aimed discharge from the party killed one and wounded three of the Gallas who were engaged iu binding their prisimer. Damash was now free to run, and taking to his heels tumbled down the valley, heed- less of all impediments, and regardless of the risk to life and limb, intent only on getting beyond the reach of his deadly enemies. Fortunately, he did not try to cscajDe by the pass ; had he done so, lie mui^t have fallen once more into the hands of the Gallas, who regarded him as a great prize. The
18C8. JIarch. stone SHOT. 301
deserters, Afa-Negiis Mashisha and his companion, now ap- peared on the scene armed to the teeth, the latter carrying the King's rifle, which he discharged with deadly effect upon the fugitives. One of his victims was the brave Basha Ka^ha, who received a shot through the leg, just above the knee. By seven o'clock about five hundred Gallas were assembled on the edge of the precipice, all engaged in throwing sj)ears and sticks and hurling stones on the retreating Amharas, who were scrambling do\ATi the rough valley as best they could. Had their assailants possessed the pluck to follow the runagates, not one of the latter would have escaped, for they were utterly panic-stricken, and most of them had thrown away their arms in the stampede.
This disaster cast a gloom over jMagdala, and nearly drove the crest-fallen Commandant out of his senses. Damasli, who had received a scratch on one of his legs in leaping over the 2)recipice, feigned to be badly wounded, and got himself con- veyed into the fortress on the back of a mule, supported by a couple of men on each side, and looking more dead than alive. He was obliged to keep up the deception, and was consequently confined to his couch for more than a month. A case of fractured skull, and anotlnr of a petty Chief, one of whoso legs was nearly severed — both wounds inflicted by the stones thrown by the Gallas — were brought to Dr. Blanc, but they were beyond medical treatment, and the two men died a few days after.
^Oth. — Sent our compliments to the King early this luo.n- iiig, and shortly after I received a message from his ^lajesty, asking mr. to send down to Salamge five of my fellow-captives — namely, ^lessrs. Staiger, Brandeis, Schiller, Essler and ^lacraire — to assist in making stone shot for the large mortar. ^My reply was, that I had no objection to the pro-
302 THEODOPiE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
posal, if tlio individuals themselves agreed to it. On their consent being obtained, hand-chains were substituted for their fetters, and they were conducted down to Salamge. The couriers who brought nie this message Mere charged with another, to the effect that his Majesty was desirous of befriending all the captives for my sahe, and hoped shortly to release them from their chains. This intimation led me to apj)rehend that he intended asking the rest of my fellow- captives, except my fellow-officials, to work for him ; but the subject was not mooted again.
I received letters this afternoon from Colonel Merewether and M. 3Iunzinger, which apprised us, to oui' great delight, that the British force had reached Ashangi.
Mr. Flad called on me in the morning, and told me that the King had inquired of him how I felt after our interview the day before. On learning that I was hapj)y, his Majesty went on to say, " I thought of him all last night, and I had sweet dreams in consequence. I v. ish I lived next to him, as you do, for I should then be able to see liim ; but for the present I am too busy."
Slst. — In the afternoon Mr. AYaldmeier came to me from the King with a request that I Avould become security for the five Europeans who joined him yesterday, otherwise he would be obliged to keep them in chains. I stated in reply that it was quite out of the question for mo to assume such a responsibility on behalf of persons over whom I had uo control ; that the individuals referred to were living at Saliimgu and working there for his Majesty, whereas I was shut up in Mugdala, and knew nothing of what took place in the royal camp. Theodore subsequently sent word to say that he was quite satisfied with my answci', and had foreseen that I knew better than to undertake the projiosed surety-
1868. April. THE MORTAR " SEVASTOPOL." 303
ship. The artisans, liowever, were eventually released from their fetters, having found some of their fellow-employes at Salamge to stand security for them.
Ist April. — Sent compliments to Theodore this morning, and dispatched letters to the British camp during the day.
2nd. — The members of the Mission received an invitation from the King early this morning to Avitness the bringing up of the mortar to tlie plateau by the new road which his ^Majesty had made below the southern slope of Salamge. We accordingly equipped ourselves in uniform, and went down, accompanied by the old and new Commandants and Aito Samuel — tlie latter by special licence, without which he could not have ventured to join us. We found Theodore super- intending the operation. He welcomed us most graciously, and bade us be seated behind him, on the edge of a precipice over- looking the soldiers, who were busy dragging the different mortars and guns which were cast at Debra Tabor last year up the incline. As soon as the large mortar, which the King had named " Sevastopol," reached the bend in the road below us, his ^lajesty asked me to look at it and tell him what I thouglit of it. I replied that it was a splendid piece of artillery, adding that I hoped it would not be long ere the British army would b(^ viewing it witli the same amicable feelings that then animated me. The King smiled, and said, "I hope so too." I thouglit tliis a good opportunity to ask him to "gladden my heart" by releasing the remaining five captives — namely, Messrs. Cameron, Stem, Roscntlial, Kerans and Pietro — of their chains. Samuel hesitated at tirst, through fear, to translate my request, but on his ]\[ajesty's asking what I had said, the request was repeated by me, and inter])reted to him. He replied, " I'sh-shi " (very well); and Ibrthwith ordered an officer to go and strike off their chains at once.
30i THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXY.
The monster mortar, borne on a strong waggon, bad to bo dragged by main force above a liundred feet np an acclivity at an angle of forty-five degrees. The weight of it, I was told, was at least seventy tons, and as many as five lumdred men were engaged in moving it, encouraged and assisted by all the Chiefs of note, wlio ever and anon placed stones under the wheels to prevent tbem from turning backwards. Occa- sionally, one or more of the strips of cow-hide which bound mortar and carriage together snapped asunder, threatening- the momentary precipitation of the huge mass into the valley below, at the imminent peril of those vho might happen to be in its way. When the " Sevastopol " reached level ground, the King asked us to mount the waggon and inspect it. It was unquestionably a wonderful piece of ordnance for its size, and more wonderful still as the work- manship of his Majesty's European artisans, who had pre- viously had no experience of casting cannon. As I knew that Theodore expected me to say something on the occasion, I sent to tell him — he was then superintending the trans- port of other mortars and guns up the ascent — that since the time of the great King Menilek no one in Abyssinia had ever accomplished such a feat. He then invited me to sit by his side again, on the edge of the precipice, and began questioning me about European warfare : how peace was con- cluded between two contending parties ; liow the words of command were given in our army ; what was the range of our soldiers' rifles ; what number of British troops had been sent against him, an I how thoy manoeuvred. After I had reidied to all his queries, with the exception of such as were purely military, on which subjects, I told his jMajesty, I was unable to fiiliiihtin him, he said, "I know you are a man of tongue;" and then sultjoiiicd, "Were I as
U'
1SG8. Ami.. THE KIXG EECOUNTS HIS TKOUBLES. 305
powerful as I once was, I should certainly have gone down to the coast to meet your people on landing ; or I would have sent and asked them what they wanted in my country. As it is, I have lost all Abyssinia but this rock " — he looked up and pointed to 3Iagdala — "and it would therefore be absurd in me to say anything. However, I am ready to meet them here, and I resign myself to the protection of my Creator." He remarked, further, that he had been in con- stant trouble since we left him in July, 1866, owing to the refusal of his people to pay the regular taxes. The whole country had risen against him, and the rebels had driven him to desperation. " But," he added, " whenever I caught any of them I caused tliem to be burnt ; while tliey, on their side, did not spare any of my subjects who fell into their hands. During the last six months especially, while on the way from Uebra Tabor to this plate, I have been harassed day and night by the robbers, and have been driven to support my soldiers on jilunder. You yourself have witnessed what trouble making these roads and moving tliese gims has given me ; but," he concluded, " I hope you do not imagine that I had the guns cast out of any animosity towards your people. I had them made to use against my own countrymen." He next reverted to the subject of Consul Cameron having re-entered Abyssinia without bringing an answer to his letter addressed to our Queen, and then said in an angiy tone, ** After his return to my country I waited live days before I learnt that ho had come back without an answer. At tlie expiration of that time, I sent and asked liiin wliat ha<l brought him back to my country, seeing that ho had come without an answer to my letter. Receiving no satisfactory reply, I said no more." He then dilated •mew on the abuse heaped upon him by 3Iessrs. Stern and VOL. II. X
306 THEODOEE AT JIAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
Eosentlial ; but for all that, he went ou to say, the former had felt constrained to call him " a wonderful man " in his book ('Wanderings among the Falashas'), and he, the King, had detained him because Mr. Cameron had brought no reply to his letter. He knew, he said, that my companions (Blanc and Prideaux) and I Avere great men, and admitted that he had ill-used us without any just cause, for which he felt very sorry ; in future, however, he A\ould always treat us as friends. He then ordered a tent to be pitched, and directed Messrs. Waldmeier and Salmiiller to provide breakfast for us AAithin it, evidently under the impression that the wives of those gentlemen, who were the daughters of the late Mr. Bell, would be able to serve us Avith some European dishes. When Mr. riad announced that everything was ready, the King- rose and led the way, we following him. Theodore looked very sad, and although he made several attempts to be cheerful, he could not hide the care which was weighing ou his mind. I never saw him so calm as he was on that day, and I shall never forget the melancholy exjoression of his countenance when, glancing at the half-clad men A\ho were hauling up the guns, he exclaimed, " How can I show those ragged soldiers of mine to your well-dressed troops!" On our way to the tent, he asked me what I thought would be a proper charge for the large mortar. I replied that I could not tell him, as I was not an artilleryman, nor in any way conversant with military matters.
On the King's return to his ovm tent, he sent me word that the day on which " Sevastopol " was successfully cast, and to-day, when he had met me again in health and jDrosperity, had been the happiest days he had experienced since our separation at Debra Tabor. He therefore asked me to allow him to have a salute lirod in honour of tlio
1868. ArniL. THE KING'S INDECISION. 307
auj^picious event ; accordingly, shortly after, the roar of artillery was heard mingled with the Elltl, or exulting shouts of the women, both on Salamge and Magdala. Before we took leave of Theodore he sent Messrs. Flad and Waldmeier to me to say, that a live coal, not larger than a pea, if not extinguished, might create a great conflagration. Samuel understood by this remark that his 3Iujesty meant to intimate that he looked to me to put the fire out at once.
At about 3 r.M. wc returned to our prison-house, escorted by the old and new Commandants. On reaching the in- closure, I hardly believed that it was the same place ; for all my fellow-captives had been imshuckled, and the dismal rattling of their chains was no longer heard. In the course of the afternoon I received a few lines from M. Munzinger, apprising me that our deliverers were not fiir distant.
'dnl. — Wrote a few lines to Colonel jMerewether this morn- ing, and dispatched them out of Magdala and through the royal camp by no less than five difierent channels. I also sent our compliments to the King, and requested him to allow ^lessrs. Flad and Waldmeier to come to me, in order that I might transmit an important message to him, through them. JIc acquiesced at once ; whereupon I solicited his permission to write and apprise the Commander-in-Chief of the British army of the civility N\lii(h wc had lately received at his Majesty's hands. (I intended this as a feeler, and lioped that it might induce him to open communications with Sir liobert Napier.) Ilis immediate reply was, that 1 had mistaken the motives of his recent conduct towards me ; that he had released my fellow-captives from their fetters, not Ijecauso he was afraid of the expected force, or out of any regard for the prisoners, but simply to gratify me, and as a proof of his personal esteem ; hence, he did not
X 2
308 THEODORE AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
see the use of my reporting a matter ^\lli(•h in no Avay con- cerned ji third person. He, moreover, desired Messrs. Flad and Waldmeier to convey to me the assurance of his con- tinued friendship, and remarked to the hitter that if I asked him to breakfast and dine with me, he wouhl accept the invitation, rather than disappoint me. On tlic strength of this speech, Mr. and Mrs. Fhid, who were then residing in Magdahx, felt at perfect liberty to accept an invitation from me, without applying for the royal permission. When Mr. riad returned to Salamge, Theodore inquired whether I had received his reply graciously. To an affirmative answer he remarked, " ]Mr. Eassam and I know each other well."
The King started off in the afternoon with the bidk of his army. One report was that he was bound on a plundering expedition ; another, that he had gone to reconnoitre the movements of our troops. Eain fell during the afternoon.
4:th. — News arrived this morning that the King W'as plundering all the country between the Bashilo river and the fortress, and had not even spared some huts, situated below the Kafir-Bar Gate, on the north-eastern side of Magdala, although they belonged to Christianized Gallas who Avere in the royal service. This intelligence excited no little apprehension among the residents on the Amba generally — even tlie royal troops were not without fears that their property might be seized ; consequently, every one was intent on liiding all he could from the grasp of the dreaded Sovereign. It was re- ported that Theodore had been driven to these harsh measures in order to provide food for his starving army. The resistance of the peasantry led to frequent encounters with the royal troops, and many were killed on both sides. My agents on the Bashilo were also despoiled, but by all accounts they fought bravely in defence of tlicir belongings. The com-
18G8. Apuii.. the KING OX TEXTEEHOOKt^. 300
munieation which I had scut through them to Colonel 31ere- Mether the day before they concealed in the ground, and forwarded it to the British camp during the night. Theodore returned from his infamous expedition this afternoon, and. yielding to the advice of the 3[agdala Chiefs, I sent a message congratulating him on his safe arrival.
5th. — Theodore sent me his compliments this morning. After Divine Service in nn- hut, Bitwaddad Hasani and l\as Bisa^vwir, the old and new Commandants, paid me a visit, having received special orders from the King to see me often and attend to my wants. There was a little rain in tlie eveniug.
(jtlt. — Sent compliments to Theodore this morning, and at noon Bitwaddad Hasani, with three ex-members of the MagdaUi Coimcil, namely, Ras Bisawwir, Bitwaddad Damash audi )ajja) Gojje, called on me, by his ^Majesty's command, to recipro- cate ray comi)liments, and to sit with and " comfort " me. As the new Commandant was present, none of my old friends dared to drink even a cup of coffee, though poor Gojje winked at me, in a way giving me to understand that he wished the interloper at land's end, as he was longing for a glass of tij — a beverage which he had not tasted since his removal from office.
After these visitors left, ^lessrs. Flad and "Waldmeier came and informed mo that the King was anxious to hear from the Commander-in-Chief of the J?ritish army, and that he had rciiuested the former to send one of his servants to our camp to collect news. Thereupon, ^Ir. Flad tuld his I\rajesty that I had expectcil u cominunicalion from Sir Kobert Napier for the last two days, but owing, as he supposed, to tln^ disturbed state of tile neighbourhood, the mcsseng(TS were probably afraid to approach. To tliis the King re[»licfl, that those
310 THEODOr.E AT MAGDALA. Chap. XXV.
wlio carried sucli messages were afraid of liini too. For the last three days Theodore has done scarcely anything but ascend the height of Salasse, scanning Avith a telescope the country towards Dalanta, from which direction he had been told the British -force was advancing. Whenever his spies brought him any intelh'gence of its movements, he invariably sent and communicated it to me.
Itli. — Theodore has been busy with his telescope throughout the day, and it was reported that he had espied some of our troops descending into the Bashilo. He is now anxious to hear from the Commander-in-Chief and to ascertain his fate.
The old and new Commandants of Magdala came to me this evening with the King's compliments, and told me that he wished to see me at Salamge early to-morrow morning, with all my fellow-captives, from ^Ahich Ave inferred that he intended to retain us with him. Tlie native prisoners were also ordered down. This news, we feared, portended no good to any of us.
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18G8. April. CAPTIVES SUMMONED. 311
CHAPTEK XXVL
THE FALL OF TIIEODOKE.
The European Captives summoned to Salamge by the King — Theodore harangues his troops on the impending invasion by the British — Declines communicating with Sir Robert Napier — Release of some of the native prisoners — Cruel massacre of the remainder — The European Captives sent back to Magdala — Letter arrives for Theodore from Sir Robert Napier, which he refuses to receive — The native troops are massed at Salamgfi — Theodore attacks the British, is defeated, and wishes for peace — Lieutenant Prideaux dispatched to Sir Robert Napier and returns to Salamge — Is dispatched again with an angry letter from Theodore — The Autlior and his fellow-captives directed to go to the British camp — The Author's interview with Theodore previous to his departure — The Captives reach the British camp in safety — Theodore's letter of ajwlogy and proffered gift of cattle to Sir Robert Napier on the morning of Easter Sunday — The Commander-in-Chief's message in reply — ITieodore sets all the lunopean artisans at liberty — "Was Theo- dore deceived V — The Author's justilication.
At dawn on tho 8th of April, "Wald-Gabir, tho royal valet, came to say that the King wished me to go down to Saldmge immediately, with all my fellow-captives, as he desired me to act as a jndg(! between hira and the people who were coming U) fight him. It was surmised tliat the spy who had come to him tho day before had communicated some disquieting news. The King had never before summoned tlic European captives and tho native prisoners simultaneously, and it was appre- liT'iidcd that we were going to bo put together and treated alike. Jluwever, when wo reacheil the royal presence the King rose and welcomed as, and desired me to aj)proach with my cora- ]tanions. lie was examining some guns, and wore a new
312 THE FALL OF TIIEODOFiE. Chap. XXVL
style of dress on the occasion, made of Lyons silk worked witli gold — it is now in the South Kensington Museum — and instead of the common nether garments of the country he had on a pair made of white tinsel; iu fact, he looked more like a harlequin than a sovereign in this novel motley suit. He walked on towards his tent, bidding my party to follow, and when he had taken his seat in front of his pavilion he asked Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux, Consul Cameron and myself to sit near him, the rest of our fellow- captives remaining a little distance off. "\Yc talked on different matters for more than an hour in the open air, and in the course of the conversation the King told me that the reason he had brought us down was, that he might leave us in a safe place when our troops arrived. Being with him, he said he could protect us and look after our comfort ; whereas if we were at Magdala when our army reached, his soldiers might illtreat us. "Wherever the Empress and my son are," he added, " there you shall be, I have brought them both down to Salamge for security." He told me to send for our tents, in order that we might pitch them near his. After this we left him, and repaired to a silk tent which he had erected for us, not more than fifty yards from his own, there to rest until our tents wore forthcoming. Theodore was very absent during this interview; his countenance, despite the forced smiles which ever and anon played upon it, betraying that he really did feel like another Damocles — to whom he compared himself — and that his iiite now hung upon a thread. Immediately on entering the tent above-mentioned we heard that all the troops had been mustered, and about half- an-liour ufterwards we were surprised to see the King himself standing on a rock not more than fifteen yards from us, haranguing his soldiers on the approaching invaders of his
18G8. Apj:il. THE KING HARANGUES HIS TROOPS. 31S
country. He told them that in a Jay or two, perhaps, tliey would be obliged to encounter men who were far superior to thcni in strength and arms — A\hoso very dress was bedecked with gold, to say nothing of their treasures, which could only be borne by elephants. " Are you ready to fight ? " he con- tinued, with increasing animation, "and enrich yourselves with the spoils of the white slaves, or will you disgrace me by leaving mo in the lurch ? " Afa-Negiis Bahri, whose name has already been mentioned, stepped forward and bawled out, " Only wait, your Majesty, until these asses make tlieir appearance, when wc will tear them to pieces, and those of them who are lucky enough to escape will have a sorry tale to tell on returning to their own country." The King, on hearing this vaunt, instead of commending the poor old man for his bombastic enthusiasm, as any rational being would have done under the circumstances, proceeded forth- with to damp the courage of his troops in this style : — " What say you, old fool ? Have you ever seen an English soldier to know what ho is like, and what weapons ho carries ? Be assured that before you know where you are, your belly will be filled with bullets." Even the Abyssinian soldiery \\ould have been provoked into merriment by such a speech coming from any other than the dreaded Theodore ; as it was, they pretended to look grave, and were forthwith dismissed.
About an hour after we parted, the King went to superin- tend the fortification of a point against the attack of our troops. As he passed our tent he called me out, and in- dicated a clean spot, about one hundred feet from his own pavilion, where I might pitch ray tent. ( Vide Plan, page 277). He then entered into friendly conversation with mo about communicating with the Commander-in-Chief, a step which
31i THE FALL OF THEODORE. CuAr. XXVL
I had always urged him to take. He said, " What is the use of my doing so ? The die is cast, and things must take their course. We shall see what will come to pass. How- ever, as far as you arc concerned, do not fear ; no harm shall befall you."
When the King returned from his work I went out with my fellow-captives to Avelcome him. He told us that he had seen through a telescope some baggage and elephants coming down the Bashilo. In the afternoon he sent to ask me AA hy our people advanced so slowly.
Early on the 9th of April he sent me compliments, and then went to see to the defence of another spot, and returned at about three in the afternoon. As soon as he entered his tent he again sent to tell me that he had seen more baggage coming down tlie valley, and had noticed small wliite animals with it, and asked if I could tell him A^hat they were. I said they might be Somali sheep.
When the native prisoners, 570 in number, came down after us from Magdala, on the Sth, they were confined in my stables, in front of the royal household-establishment, and our mules and servants were turned out for their accom- modation. That day, the Avholo of the children and women, amounting to 18G, were released, together with thirty-seven Chiefs, including Kantiba Hailo and Balambaras Tasamma, the Master of the Horse. The day following he ordered the remainder to be released, excepting a few political prisoners. By 1 r.M. ninety-five more prisoners had been released, and as tlie process of opening the chains was rather slow, owing to the few hands told off to the work, those who were still unshackled became somewhat imf)atient. On hearing this Theodore fell into a rage, saying, " Do these people think they can oblige me to strike off their chains ? " and rushed
1868. April. SLAUGHTER OF PRISONERS. 315
out in a frenzy, sword in Land, and called to his soldiers to follow him to the quarters of the native prisoners. A friendly- courtier came running to me, and said, "The King has gone to make a general slaughter of the captives ; tell your people to remain in their tents and keep quiet."
The King had not been away ten minutes before we heard the discharge of musketry, which lasted till 6-30 p.m. The place of execution was not more than 200 yards from our encampment. The unfortunate prisoners were dragged before him, one by one ; and after the name and offence of the individual had been repeated, he ordered the victim to be thrown over the precipice. Those who did not die by the fall were to be shot by the 3Iusketeers, who had been sent below for the purpose. After this indiscriminate slaughter had continued for two hours the King cooled doAvn, and said *' Enough ; " not, however, until he had caused the destruc- tion of no less than 197 hapless victims, only thirty-five of whom had committed any crime — the rest having been confined for trivial offences, or lor having incurred the royal disj^leasure by laughing amongst themselves when the King was in a bad temper. I'ngada Wark had been im- prisoned for losing a rifle, and for being unable to pay the price at which Theodore had valued it. AVhen brought before his master he said, "Have I not served you faithfully? Why do you kill me?" "Hurl the villain down! Have you not brought the Franks on me?" was the savage rejoinder. One of the most innocent of the victims was a youth, named Kiduna Miiryam, who had been one of the King's pages, and had frequently been sent to me with his Majesty's compliments. He had dared to laugh while con- versing with one Zaudi, of tlie royal body-guard, when Theodore was out of humour. Zaudi also was executed on
31G THE FALL OF THEODOrj-:. CuAr. XXA'L
this occasion, simply because a musket which he had loaded for the King missed fire when the latter attempted to dis- cliarge it at a rebel A\ho was deriding him at a distance.
On that dreadful afternoon the King, in my opinion, must have been quite insane; and if any one instance goes to prove this more than another it is the following. Among the unfortunate prisoners was a man wlio had been confined on a charge of having attempted to take liberties with one of the royal concubines ; and as Theodore generally made the relatives of the accused jiarty suffer as well as the principal, he ordered two lads, between twelve and fifteen years of age, sons of the offender, to be imprisoned Avith their father. Soon after the King had commenced the slaughter, these unhappy boys were dragged before him, and on being apprised that they were the offspring of the man who had misbehaved himself, as aforesaid, his Majesty shouted out, " Away with them ! " whereupon they were instantly hurled down the precipice and dashed to pieces. When the father of the two boys ^^■as produced, Theodore's rage had somewhat sub- sided, and after hearing the culprit's crime rehearsed by the proper officer, he said, " Open his chains and let him go."
That indiscriminate carnage disgusted the troops more than anything that had occurred before, as a great number of them had to assist either in the destruction of a relative or friend. Courage to resist they had none ; they could only bewail their misery in the darkness of the night, out of the hearing of eavesdroppers.
Very early next morning (Good Friday, the lUth April) the King sent to bid me go up at once to Magdala, with my eight fellow-captives, j\[rs. Eosenthal being now added to our number. That Theodore was in an awful mood was evident from another mcssatre which I then received from
1868. AruiL. SIR EGBERT XAPIER'S LETTER. 317
liim. I liatl repeatedly advised him to communicate Avitb Sir Eobert Napier, but be gave no beod to wliat I said. He now sent to say, '* Do you want rae to a\ rite to that man ? No, I will do no sucb tbing, inasmucb as be bas been sent by a uoman."
As we were starting, on our way back to Magdala, a letter reacbed me from Sir Eobert Napier, addressed to tbe King ; ■whereupon I sent immediately to ask his Majesty's permis- sion to forward it to him, \a itb tbe messenger. He returned me an indignant answer, saying that he did not wish to see either tbe letter or the bearer, warning me at tbe same time against communicating with the camp. " If you write to them," (the British), he said, " my friendship with you will be at an end, and the blood of tbe messenger who carries your missive will be on your head. Beware ! "
The following is a copy of Sir Eobert Napier's letter above referred to, as published in the Abyssinian ' Blue- Book:'—
"From etc., &c., to King Theodoras.
" By command of the Queen of England I am approaching Miigdala with my army, in order to recover from your bauds Envoy Russam, Consul Cameron, Dr. Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux, and the other Europeans now in your ^lajesty's power.
" I request your Majesty to send them to my camp, as soon as it is sufficiently near to admit of their coming in safety."
On that morning all the troops, botli at Magdala and Salamge, were ordered to assemble, and only fifty men were left to guard the fortress — thirty over the native prisoners, and twenty at the gates. When the King was asked who was to guard tlio European captives, be replied, " Is not Mr. Uassam there ? He is quite sullicient." For all that, our old warders watched us very strictly that day, and we could
318 THE FALL OF THEODORE. Cuap. XXYL
neither laiigli nor talk -without their saying, "Hush! you will vex his Majesty." A little after noon Me heard that the British troops had reached A'roge, and were taking up a position on different hillocks around Magdala. About 3 p.m. it was rumoured that the King had taken the great body of his troops, and had gone to attack the advanced guard of our army. AYe heard continual firing for nearly two hours after, but could not determine w^hether the Abyssinians were only makinjr a demonstration — as is their wont on similar occa- sions — or were regularly engaged with our troops. The gates of the fortress had been closed, and no communication was allowed between Salamge and Magdala until the morning. We retired to sleep, therefore, uncertain whether the King had actually attacked the British force, or had merely feigned to do so.
At 10-30 P.M., however, I Avas awoke from a sound sleep by Aito Samuel, who told me that Messrs. Flad and Wald- meier had come to me with a message from the King. I immediately called them in, when they delivered the follow- ing communication from the King : — " How have you passed the day ? Thank God, I am well. I, being a Iving, could not allow people to come and fight me without attacking them first. I have done so, and my troops have been beaten. I thought your people were women, but I find they are men. They fought very bravely. Seeing that I am unable to cope with them, I must ask you to reconcile me to them." To this I replied tliat I was now powerless, as hostilities had already commenced ; I could only send one of my com- panions, Lieutenant Prideaux, to the Commander-in-Chief, to see what could bo done. I advised his IMajesty, at the same tim(.', to send an Abyssinian of high rank on his part, and to allow Mr. Flad to accompany them, he being a mutual
18GS. Arrai.. COMMISSION SENT TO BRITISH CAMP. 319
frieud. I owe it to Lieutenant Prideaux to state that be accepted the proposed duty most willingly.
At dawn the following morning, the 11th, Mr. Flad re- turned, and informed me that the King concurred in my jjroposal, and begged me to do as I had suggested ; where- upon Lieutenant Prideaux accompanied Mr. Flad to the King. His Majesty appointed Dajjaj 'Alami, a Chief who had married his favourite consort's daughter, to go with them, and then sent them off to the British camp.
I had dispatched Dasta, one of my interpreters, with Lieutenant Prideaux, thinking that he might prove useful to him on the road, or with the King, When bis Majesty saw him he approved of his appointment, but ordered him to return to him as soon as the Commission had been received by the British authorities, and give an account of their reception. When they all left, the King went up to Salasse, and watched their movements through a telescope. Dasta returned about noon and informed the King, who was still sitting on Sahisse, of the handsome reception accorded to his Chief. Whereupon his Majesty told him to come and communicate the happy tidings to me. After that, I heard nothing more, except that the King bad worked himself into a fearful mood on the return of the Commissioners, and bad sent Messrs. Prideaux and Flad back to Sir Robert Napier, witli an angrv letter,* and had refused to send bis own
* The following aro copies of the letters wliich passed on this occasion l)ct\veeii the Commaudcr-in-Chicf and King Theodore, as published in the « lUue-Books : '—
" Copy of Letter from Sm II. Napier to Tuf.odore, dated ^British Cam2\ Affajo, 11//* April, 18G8,*' se7it in reply to the Verbal Messaye hrouijhl hy LiKUTENAXT Trideaux, Mr. Flad, and the Dajazmaj Alamee, the So)i-in-Law of the King.
" YoL'R Majesty has fought like a brave man, and has been overcome by the superior power of the British Army.
320 THE FALL OF TllEODOllE. Chap, XXVL
deputy, Dajjcij 'Alami, again to our camp, as he was against coming to any terms. The Dajjaj advised him to resort to
" It is my desire that no move blood may be shed. If, therefore, your Majesty ^vill submit to the Queen of England, and bring all the Europeans now in your Majesty's hands, and deliver them safely, this day, in the British Camp, I guarantee honourable treatment for yourself, and all the members of your Majesty's family."
KixG Theodore to Sir Egbert Napier.
'■^Delivered ly Lieut. Prideaiix and the Dajaz Alamie on \lth Aj^ril, 1868.
" (Note, without superscription, seal, signature, or date. Along with it was returned the Commander-in-Chief's letter of that morning, in which the King was called upon to submit.)
"In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost — one God in His Trinity and His Unity.
" Kassa, whose trust is in Christ, thus speaks : —
"0 people of Abyssinia, will it always he thus that you flee before the enemy, when I myself, by the power of God, go not forth with you to encourage you ?
" Believing that all power had been given to me, I had established my Christian people in this heathen spot. In my city are multitudes whom I have fed : maidens protected and maidens unprotected ; women whom yesterday made widows ; and aged parents who have no children. God has given you the power. Sec that you forsake not these people. It is a heathen land.
" My countrymen have turned their backs on me and have liated me, because I imposed tribute on them, and sought to bring them under military discipline. You liave prevailed against me by means of people brought into a state of discipline.
" !My followers who loved me were frightened by one Inillct, and fled in .spite of my commands. When you defeated them I w;is not with the fugitives.
" Believing myself to be a great Lord I gave you battle ; but, by reason of the worthlessness of my artillcr}-^, all my pains were as nought.
" The people of my country, by taunting mc with having embraced the religion of the Franks, and by saying that I had become a Musalman, and in ten different ways, had provoked me to anger against them. Out of what I have done of evil towards them may God bring good. His will be done. I had intended, if God had so decreed, to conquer the whole world ; and it was my desire to die if my purpose could not be fulfilled. Since the day of my birth till now no man has dared to lay hand on me. "When-
1868. April. SUMMONED TO SALAMGE. 321
friendly measures, as there was notbing to be gained by fighting the English. The only answer he elicited was that he should hold his tongue.
About 4 P.M. the old and new Commandants of Magdala came to me, A\ith dejected countenances, to say that the King their master had sent them to tell me to go down to the British camj) and take all my fellow-captives with me. Every Abyssinian who was apj)rised of the royal mandate came running Avith melancholy faces to see the upshot, as the general opinion was that the King meant to have us massacred on the road, or to keep us close prisoners until he had come to terms with the Commander-in-Chief. If he had really entertained any such design he was induced to change his mind when we met — probably in the hope that by sending me at once to our camp be would secure peace. Had the idea ever occurred to him that he would be required to surrender himself a prisoner, he would assuredly have had us cut to pieces rather than give us up.
As soon as Samuel heard the Chiefs' communication he said to me, " I advise you, Mr. Eassam, not to attempt to go to your camp before seeing the King." I rej)lied that I must do so, as his Majesty had not expressed a desire to see me. "At all events," he said, '-'send and obtain permis- sion from the King, and say that you could not think of leaving for your camp without wishing him farewell, and thanking him for his kindness and civility." I rejoined that
ever my soldiers began to waver in battle, it was mine to arise and rally tbem. Last night the darkness hindered mc from doing so.
" Your people who have passed the night in joy ; may God not do imto you as he has done to me. I had hoped, after subduing all my enemies in Abyssinia, to lead my anny against Jerusalem, and expel front it the Turks. A warrior who has dandled strong men in his arms like infanta will never suffer himself to be dandled in the anus of others."
VOL. II. Y
322 THE FALL OF THEODORE. Chap. XXVL
he (Samuel) knew very well that ever since my arrival in Abyssinia I had never taken the initiative in such cases, and that at that critical juncture especially I could not do so, as his Majesty might easily have sent for me, had he wished to see me before I went away. Samuel then went and spoke to the Chiefs who had brought me the message and were waiting to , escort me and my fellow-captives. They both urged me to take Samuel's advice. I told them that they knew theii* master's temper, and that if I sent to him myself and asked for an interview he might take it amiss and become furious ; but, if they liked. Dr. Blanc and I would put on our uniforms and be ready to appear before the King, should he express a wish to see us.
The reason why Samuel and the Commandants of Magdala were so anxious that I should see Theodore before going to the British camp was this : — All the Chiefs and courtiers who knew the footiuG: on which I had been with the Kin^ were impressed with the idea that my meeting him would suflice to allay the royal anger; and as on this particular occasion every Abyssinian fully expected that we should be put to death, the above-named individuals judged that the only way to avert our doom was to bring about an inter- view between me and their Sovereign, which they eventually effected, at great personal risk.
As our tlu'ce friendly advisers concurred in the suggested arrangement. Dr. Blanc and I dressed in uniform and went to Salamge, with our fellow-captives. Consul Cameron, the Rev. Mr. Stern, ]\[r. and Mrs. Eosenthal, and Messrs. Kerans and Pietro. As soon as we descended from the fortress a follower of Ras Bisawwir, the ex-Commandant of j\ragdala, came running to that Chief with orders from the King to take me to him, if I wished to see him ; his Majesty would
1SG8. April. A LAST INTERVIEW. 323
see me only, and none of my fellow-captives were to accom- pany me. I then discovered that, although I had refused to send to the King, the Chiefs had agreed to do so themselves, and had sent to say that I had expressed a wish to see him, and to thank him for his kindness. I was accordingly sepa- rated from my fellow-captives and taken to the Sovereign. I had scarcely \\alked fifty yards when Mr. Waldmeier came to warn me agamst taking any of my fellow-captives with me into his Majesty's presence, as he would not see any one but me. We then walked on towards the spot where the King was said to be awaiting me. I found him standing at the junction of the upper and lower roads loading to the British camp, with about twenty picked ^Musketeers around him, and his European artisans in attendance. (See Plan, p. 227). On seeing me he asked how I had passed the day, and beckoned to me with his hand to approach. On my coming uj) to him he looked towards the sun, and said abruptly, " Do you not think it is late for you to go this afternoon to your camp ? Would you rather go at once or spend the night with me, and in the morning I will send you straight to your people ? " I answered that whatever pleased his Majesty pleased me. He then said, " Good ; you had better go now ; but," he added, *' sit down for a short time, and let me have a few words A\ itli you before you depart." After I had seated myself on the ground near him, he said, " You know, 3Ir. Rassam, that you and I have always been on good terms. God knows your heart, but, as far as I am concerned, I have always had a sincere regard for you. It is true that I have behaved ill to you, but that was through the conduct of bad men. How- ever, the past cannot bo helped now, and, I can only say, God's will be done. I want you to bear this in mind — that unless you bci'riend me, I shall cither kill myself or become a
Y 2
321 THE FALL OF THEODORE. Chap. XXVL
monk. Now, good-bye ; it is getting late ; try and come to see me to-morrow, if you can." I then thanked him for his kindness, and said, " I will come to see your Majesty, if possible." He asked again, *' Will you come to-morrow ? " I replied that it all depended upon the orders of the Commander- in-Chief. He then rose, shook hands with me, wept and said, " Farewell ; be quick, it is getting late." I rejoined, "I thank your Majesty; but my companions are behind." His only answer was — and these words were the last I heard from his lips — " You had better go." I Avas now anxious about my fellow-captives, and after walking on a few paces I stopped. The King was still standing on a rock, surrounded by his Musketeers, and holding a double-barrelled rifle in his hands. When he saw me stop and look round, he motioned me with his hand to go on. My fears then began to in- crease; still I apprehended that if I said anything we should all be shot down, so I proceeded a few ste2:)s farther and stood still, when, to my intense joy, I saw my fellow-captives coming down the hill towards me. As soon as they joined me we went on towards our camp, but did not feel safe until we were within our pickets, knowing that the fickle Theodore might have recalled us at any moment. Before I parted with the King he ordered Da^ijaj 'Alami, Aito Samuel, and Messrs. Waldmeier, Salmiiller, Mayer and Moritz to escort me to our camp. Soon after I left, I dispatched Mr. Mayer in advance, to notify our approach, and also to stop Messrs. Prideanx and Flad, in case they were on their way back. Luckily, he arrived just in time to detain them, or they might have started for Salamge and missed us in the dark.
Some officers who were on guard conducted us to Sir Eobert Napier's tent, on the outside of which we were cor- dially received by his Excellency and Colonel Mcrewcther.
1868. April. THE PROFFERED PRESENT. 325
The latter welcomed us with his usual kindness, and, feeling as I did how deeply indebted all the liberated captives were to his assiduous sympathy and valuable assistance from first to last, I was rejoiced to have this early occasion of express- ing my gratitude for his unwearied exertions on our behalf. Without Colonel Merewether's foresight and zealous coopera- tion, our misfortunes might have come to a widely different tenniuation.
The King having asked me to go up and see him again, I communicated his wish to the Commander-in-Chief, who, of course, objected to my placing myself once more in jeopardy, and thereby adding to the existing complications.
On the morning of Easter Sunday, the 12th of April, Theodore wrote a letter of apology, containing tlic offer of a present of cows and sheep, and sent it by Alaka I'ugada, his chief Aniharic scribe, with instructions to come to me, in order that 1 might accompany him to Sir Robert Napier. The following is a translation of this remarkable document, copied from the Abyssinian ' Blue-liook : ' —
" In the name of the Father, of the Sou, and of the Holy Ghost — one Lord :
" Tlie King of Kings, Theodorus :
" May it reach the beloved servant of the Great Queen of England.
" I am writing to you, without being able to address you by name, because our intercourse has arisen so unexpectedly.
'' 1 am grieved at having sent you my writing of 3'esterday, and at having quarrelled with you, my fi-iend. When I saw your manner of figliting, and the discipline of your army, and when my people failed to execute my orders, then I was con- sumed with sorrow to think that although 1 killed and punished my soldiers, yet they woidd not return to the battle. Whilst the fire of jealousy burned witliin me, Satan came to me in the night, and tempted me to kill myself with my own pistol. But,
326 THE FALL OF THEODORE. Chap. XXVI.
reflecting that God would be angry with me if I were to go in this manner, and leave my army without a protector, I sent to you in a hurry, lest I might die, and all things be in confusion before my message should reach you. After my messenger had gone I cocked my pistol, and, putting it to my mouth, pulled the trigger. Though I pulled and pulled, yet it would not go off. But when my people rushed upon mo, and laid hold of the pistol, it was discharged just as they had drawn it from my mouth. God having thus signified to me that I should not die, but live, I sent to you Mr. Kassam that same evening, that your heart might be made easy.
" To-day is Easter ; be pleased to let mo send a few cows to you.
" The reason of my returning to you your letter yesterday was, that I believed at that time that we should meet one another in heaven, but never on earth.
" I let the night pass without sending for the body of my friend Fitaurari Gabrte, because I thought that after my death we should both be buried together ; but since I have lived, be pleased to allow him to be buried.
" You require from me all the Europeans, even to my best friend, Waldmeier. Well, be it so. They shall go. But now that we are friends you must not leave me without artisans, as I am a lover of the mechanical arts."
On receiving this commimieation I went to Colonel Mere- wether, and we repaired to the Commander-in-Chiefs tent together, when I was requested by Sir Robert Napier to give him a literal translation of the letter. With the assistance of Samuel, who rendered the Amharic into Arabic, I trans- lated t]jo \\h()lo into English, sentence by sentence. That done, Samuel — who had been ordered by Theodore to return with the answer, and then to assist in bringing down the European artisans and their families — wished to know what reply he was to carry back to the King respecting the prof- fered present of sheep and cows. On my rejDeating this question to the Commander-in-Chief, his Excellency said, " I
1868. April. WAS THEODORE DECEIVED ? 327
accept tliem ; " and that was the message which I gave to Samuel.
A little before sunset that evening, all the European artisans, with their wives and families and the whole of their effects, arrived safely in the British Camp, the King having given them permission to leave Magdala immediately after he received the Commander-in-Chief's message. A little after sunset, Samuel came to the British camp and informed me that the King had ordered him to go up to Magdala and bring down our effects, and had also given him permission at the same time to remove his family and all his belongings from Magdala to our camp. This last offer Samuel thought it advisable to decline, fearing that by accepting it he might create suspicion in the King's mind, who might be irritated on finding that every one wished to leave him. The King insisted, however, on his coming to our camp in charge of my moveables and those of my companions, and also to convey his compliments to me. His Majesty's words were, "How are you, my friend? I hope you are well. I know you have no longer any power ; so do not think about me. God's will be done." This was the last message I received from Theodore. At a quarter past four in the afternoon of the following day I saw him dead. He had committed suicide in the jiresence of his valet, Wald-Gabir, who told me that his master shot himself just as our troops reached the second gate.
It has been insinuated from more quarters than one, that Theodore was deceived with regard to the reply sent to his proffered gift of sheep and cattle, and tliat I was the author of the deception. It is not within my province to dis- cuss the former question; the latter I utterly deny. Even when a prisoner with the King, I never gave him any reason
328 THE FALL OF THEODORE. CnAP. XXVI.
to believe that I could shield him from the consequences of his obstinacy; on the contrary, I assured him again and again that, Avith our troops in the field, his fate rested in other hands than mine. In the matter of the present, I acted as I was bound to act, on superior authority, and was merely the channel through which the Commander-in-Chief's message was delivered to the King's officer. The innuendo referred to, however, was only one among several disparaging strictures on my conduct which obtained currency imme- diately after my release from captivity. Such ungenerous reflections were hard to bear, under the circumstances ; but Time is the great rej)airer of injuries, and, moreover, I have the satisfaction of knowing that they had respect to matters far too trivial to be repeated here, and were either utterly unfounded, or based on words and actions which were grossly distorted.
"i
1868. April. 329
CHAPTEE XXYII.
ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL.
Narrative of events between the 11th and 13tli April, 18G8 — Dispatch of the proffered cattle to the British camp — Theodore's imjiression that hostilities were at an end — Mr. Speedy — The King prepares to escape on hearing that his present had not been accepted — His troops decline to accompany him — Prepaits for defence — Is abandoned by most of his followers — Some of the Chiefs surrender themselves to Sir Kobert Napier — Theodore attacks a party of British Cavalry — Ketreats with a handful of followers and secures the Gates of Magdala — The fortress stormed by the British — Theodore shoots himself — A summary of his career — His surviving wives and children — Did Theodore, before his death, curse the Author? — Visit to Mdgdala after its fall — The Author charged with the burial of Theodore and the care of his family — Dis- posal of the Chiefs and people of Magdala — Contrast — Divine interven- tion— The Army of Eescue — Burial of Theodore — His son, 'Alamayo, made over by his mother to the care of the British — Dismissal of the Magdala Chiefs — The Author proceeds to Dalanta with the royal family — Magdala in flames — Review of the Expeditionary force — Illness and death of the Queen Tem-Wark — Dismissal of all Abyssinian followers at Scnafe — Arrival at Zoolla — Journey to Europe — Dispersion of the late European Cai)tivc's — On British soil once more — Reception by old friends — Recognition by Government of the services and sufferings of the Mission to Abyssinia — Conclusion.
So many conflicting accounts have been given of \\hat took place at the royal camp ironi the afternoon of tbe 11th of April, when I took leave of the King, until the morning of the loth, that the reader may very naturally expect to hear my version of tlic subject. Without venturing either to impugn or reconcile the statements of other writers, I shall give a brief narrative of the principal events which occurred during that interval, on tlir autliority of several trustworthy persons who were present at the time.
330 ALUS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXVIL
After the King had dispatched the 1,000 cows and 500 sheejj — they were all he possessed — to Sir Eobert Napier, on the mistaken idea that peace had been initiated between him and the British, he seemed quite cheerful, and con- tinued so throughout the greater part of Sunday, the 12th of April, and allowed all his European artisans, together with their fomilies and effects, to repair to our camp. He had a2:)pointed one Agafari IMashisha, formerly the head exe- cutioner but whom he had recently raised to the rank of Dajazmatsh, to convey the live stock to the British lines. This man was stopped at the outlying pickets and kept wait- ing there. About sunset he sent a messenger to his master, stating that the cattle had not yet been taken over, and requesting orders as to Avhat was to be done, as the animals were likely to die for want of water. He also reported that " Basha Fallake " (]\[r. Speedy) had been to examine the cattle, but had not told him whether he was to remain or return. As soon as the King heard the name of Fallake, whom he always called an "enemy," he inferred that his visit boded him no good. He also concluded, from the fact of the cattle having been kej)t so long outside the camp Avithout having been received by the Commander-in-Chief, that his confident anticipation of peace was doomed to be disappointed. He accordingly began to make preparations to decamj), and, summoning all the Chiefs of his troops on Salamge, he ordered them to be in readiness to march with him during the night. In the course of an hour he was told that none could follow him that night, as they could procure neither animals nor carriers to transport their families and effects at so short a notice; nevertheless, about two hundred Chiefs volunteered to accompany him at once, leaving their families behind. As this did not satisfy Theodore, he went
1868. April. THEODOEE'S LAST EFFORTS. 331
up to Magdala and issued similar orders there, stating that lie intended starting for his native province forthwith, and that they would be able to reach the Jejaho A^alley next morning, from whence they might proceed onward to the Lake, with- out fear of molestation. Thereupon the Chiefs consulted with their men, and it was unanimously resolved to disre- gard the royal mandate, on the ground that for want of carriage they would be obliged to abandon their families — a step to Avhich they had the strongest objection. They counselled his Majesty at the same time to come to terms with the invaders, and thereby save them and their families from the destructive devouring fire of the English, which all the peojile in Abyssinia, if combined against them, couhi not extinguish. The King then upbraided them for their dis- loyalty and cowardice; they, in return, blaming him for having surrendered me and my fellow-captives before ex- acting favourable conditions from the British. "Had the European captives still been with your Majesty," they argued, "you might have revenged upon them the refusal of their brothers to accept your offers of peace, and thereby have made their hearts smart ; as it is, you have everything to lose. We are your Majesty's children unto death, if you will only listen to our advice and come to terms with the FrancJiotsh.'" After this incident, Theodore seated himself near the Salamge Gate and w as silent for about two hours. He then ordered Damash and other Chiefs to collect four hundred men to assist in plac- ing some mortars on the road leading up from Salamge, with the evident intention of making a show of defence, in the event of an attack l)y the British. Ivas Bi^awwir, the old Com- mandant of jMagdala, returned to him in the course of half an hour, and reported that every petty Chief both of the old and new garrisons had sworn tliat they would not stir a finger in
332 ALL'S WELL THAT END'S WELL. Chap. XXYIT.
any attempt to fight the English ; bnt that if ho were willing to make peace, they were all ready to go before the great " English Eas," with stones on their necks, and sue for 23ardon. Before this message was delivered to Theodore, some of the highest Chiefs, including Has I'ngada, consulted what course they should jiursue in case the King took it into his head to order the slaufrhtcr of some individuals of the garrison, with the object of intimidating the remainder into obedience. They all resolved, and sealed the deter- mination witli a solemn oath, that they would disobey any such order, cvcni if issued against one of the common l^risoners; and, moreover, that they would thereupon bind the King, if necessary, to prevent him from shedding any more innocent blood. Theodore did not visit his family at Magdala on this occasion, and on receiving Kas Bisawwir's answer he returned to Salamge, saying to that Chief as he left, "Let tliose who still bear me any attachment follow me, and we shall see what assistance is to be got below." Between forty and fifty Chiefs accompanied him, and towards dawn he set about his absurd ])roject of moving some mortars on the road leading up to Magdala ; but as it was no easy task to drag such heavy pieces of artillery, over rocks and stones, uj) a steep incline, especially as only a few hands could be got together to co-operate in the work, he even- tually abandoned the attempt, and reverted to the former scheme of retiring from the place, lie asked those who liad come down with him from Magdala, whether they would accompany him if he Avent to Gishen, and from thence make their way to Kwara, by the safest route. On receiv- ing an affirnialivc reply, he next summoned the Chiefs of the troops at Salamge, who had promised the day before to go with him, if he wished them to attend him. He sent
1S68. April. THEODORE ATTACKS THE BRITISH. 333
for them twice, but as they refused to come he left and re- turned to Magdala, to try his luck there once more. In the mean time, some of the foremost Chiefs at Salamge, thinking that Tlieodore was about to retreat with tlie Chiefs who had gone up with him to Magdala, hurried off to the British camp and surrendered themselves to the Commander-in-Chief, proflering at the same time the submission of all the royal troops on Salamge. The King, on the other hand, having tried in vain, for the space of an hour, to obtain more help from Magdala to enable him to move the mortars and make a better defence, returned to Salamge, at his wit's end what course to pursue. To his chagrin, he found the soldiers there, on whose loyalty he had implicitly relied, hurrying from their huts towards the British lines at A'ro^e. Nothinjr daunted, however, by tliis sore mortification, he set to work, heart and soul, with his few remaining adherents, in plac- ing the mortars in a good position for defence below the Salamge Gate. "While engaged on tliis bootless undertaking, he espied some cavalry belonging to Sir Charles Staveley's division on the height of Salasse. Thereupon the King im- mediately abandoned the work, mounted his horse, and set off towards that point, calling upon his party to follow him and die fighting. Most of his people, however, deeminf>" that they would be safer in ]\ragdala, deserted him and re- turned to the fortress, only twelve persons accompanying him, including Kas rngada, Bitwiiddad Ilasani, Eas Barrako, and A\'ald-Gubir, the royal valet. AVhile Theodore was gallop- ing about and challenging our troops to single combat, one of his party was shot in the arm, which induced the rest to entreat his Majesty to relinquish the rash demonstration and return to the defence of i\Iagdala. On reaching the fortress, he again appealed to the garrison to assist him in defend-
3^4 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXVIL
ing it; but all his solicitations Averc in vain. He succeeded, however, in securing the help of Kus Bisawwir and Bitwaddad Damash, and their relatives, to pile huge stones behind the wooden gates ; but before the task was accomj)lished the cannonading from our side began, which scared all the hands away, excepting the few persons who had gone up with him from Salamge, and those Chiefs who liad joined him in the fortress. Three of tlie former were killed by the explosion of a shell, and another by a rocket. As soon as Theodore saw one man fall, he went and seated himself in a passage cut between two rocks below the second gate, and bade those who remained with him depart, if they liked, and seek shelter elsewhere. None, however, would leave him, and all swore that they would remain where they w-ere and die with him.
"When the storming-party began the ascent, Theodore re- joined his few remaining adlierents, and with five of them ojiened fire upon the advancing column. Four of his men, besides Eas I'ngada and the Eas's brother, were shot dead by our troops. On seeing that the latter had attained the first gate, the King retired to the inner gate, bidding his dimi- nished band follow him. Damash and another Chief were wounded while effecting this movement, and were imme- diately carried to their respective homes. Perceiving now^ that our troops had surmounted the wall of tlie outer gate, and that a few of them were apjiroaching the spot where he stood, Theodore drew a pistol from his belt, and said, " Sooner than surrender into the liands of the Franks, I will shoot myself! " lie forthwith put the muzzle of the pistol to his mouth and fired, the bullet coming out at the back of his head. Falling instantly on his back, he breathed his last.
Thus ended the career of Theodore, Avho had swayed the
1868. April. TPIEODORE'S CHARACTER. 335
Abyssinian sceptre for nearly fourteen years, during wliich time, as he himself told me, he had not enjoyed one day's rest. A warrior from boyhood, and elevated to the highest dignity by personal energy and dauntless courage, his early successes made him the idol of friends and the terror of foes. Had he possessed the requisite qualifications, Theodore might have consolidated his power over the feudal Chiefs, whose misrule had kept the country in a state of anarchy for centuries, fostered peaceful arts and sciences among his people, developed the resources of his kingdom, and made Cliristian Abyssinia a blessing to the sm-roundiug heutlien and barbarous races. The reforms which he initiated shortly after his accession to the throne show that he was capable of appreciating these and similar advantages. But he utterly lacked the talent for administration ; or, if ho possessed any, it was completely neutralized by inordinate military ambi- tion and a thirst for martial fame. His eflforts to carry out his schemes of conquest and aggrandizement excited first the passive, tlicn the active resistance of his subjects, wlio banded together under their old leaders to withstand the oppressor. But his proud spirit could not brook opposition, and rivalry drove him to pei-petrate those deeds of atrocity and cruelty which eventually stirred up Chief and peasant to compass his downfall. J\[y own sincere conviction is, that this antagonism, perpetuated and intensified by the unwise measures which he took to repress it, so unsettled the mind of the haughty monarch that, at times, he was decidedly mad. On no other su])position can I account for his extra- ordinary conduct towards the Mission from first to last; al- though, when he ultimately decided to retain us as liostages, iio most i)robably calculated on striking a bargain for our release, which he fondly hoped would have enabled him to
336 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXYIL
regain his lost ascendancy. That there were a few loyal men who stood by him to the bitter end, evinces that Theo- dore must have had some noble qualities worthy of such devotion ; that he was abandoned by all but that valiant little band, and died hemmed in on an isolated mountain, surrounded by thousands of his own people up in arms against him, proves that he had forfeited all claim to their allegiance, and deserved the fate which rid them and their country of an infatuated tyrant.
Theodore left three sons and three daughters, the Prince 'xVlamayo being the only one, however, who was born in wed- lock, his mother Teru-Wark, the daughter of Dajjaj Oobe, having been married to the late King in the church, and the marriage confirmed by both parties receiving the holy Eucharist together. The other five were the issue of mothers who were married without any religious ceremony; conse- quently, according to Abyssinian Canon law, Dajjaj 'Alamayo is the only legitimate child, althougli the present Civil law recognizes the secondary marriages as valid. Theodore's eldest son, Eas Mashisha, now about twenty-three years of age, went away from Magdala with a few followers, intending to make his way to Shoa, the day Magdala was taken, but he eventually changed his mind and took refuge with his grand- mother's family in Amhara-Seint. Hailo Kasa, the youngest son, was loft in Tigre with his mother, a Galla concu- bine, on the return of the Lritish force to the coast. His eldest daughter, about twenty years old, who had been married to Mcnilek, King of Shoa, was made over by her father to a Tigrc Chief, named Earia, when Menilek escaped from Magdala and returned to his native province. Ilis other two daughters, one about five and the other three years of age, were taken by their mothers to Bagameder.
1868. April. THE ALLEGED CURSE OF THEODOEE. 337
It was reported that before putting an end to his life, Theodore gnashed his teeth and invoked a malediction against Mr. Waldmeier and myself for having deceived him. I have never been able to discover how this story originated. Those who were in close attendance upon the King, from the evening of the 12th till the time of his death, assured me that they had not heard him utter a word either against me or any other person ; the only time he mentioned my name was when he sent Samuel down with a message to me, in the evening of the 12th. Among those whom I questioned on this subject was Wald-Gabir, the royal valet; his quaint answer was this : — " Master, why do you give heed to such reports ? The day of lies, when through fear of the King no one would dare to moot such topics, has gone by ; but Theodore is no more, and the English are here ; therefore, if Mr. Wald- meier has told you this story, ask* him to name the person who was with the King at the time, and related it to him (Mr. Waldmeier) and by that means you will arrive at the truth. I will pledge myself to become your slave for ever if, on inves- tigation, you discover that any such person exists." Even if the story were true, Theodore's malediction, being wholly undeserved, would cause me no compunction. When I told him that I " hoped " — the word which I always used in my verbal as well as written communications to him — that matters would end peaceably, I really meant what I said. It was not my fault that he rejected wise counsels and persisted in his determination to resist, crowning his headstrong folly by attacking the vanguard of our army on Good FrMay, tiie 10th of April, thereby causing the slaughter of so many of his hapless followers. My fellow-captives and I were shut up in ]\Iagdala, and knew nothing of what took place below the fortress from the morning of that day until the aftornoon of
VOL. II. z
338 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS "WELL. Chap. XXYIL
the day following, when the King sent for us to Salamge and dispatched us to the British camp. I had repeatedly warned the obstinate Sovereign against driving her Majesty's Govern- ment to extreme measures, and on the occasion of my previous visit to him at Salamge I strongly urged liim to make over- tures to Sir Robert Napier. His reply to me, through Messrs. Flad and Waldmeier, was as already stated at p. 307.
If Mr. Waldmeier credits the story referred to, he is per- fectly welcome to draw what inference he pleases from it ; for my own part, I utterly disbelieve it. I was the last person to whom the King sent a civil message on the evening of the 12th, the pith of which was that he knew I was then powerless to assist him ; and he also mentions my name in his last letter to the Commander-in-Chjef, without the slightest indication that he entertained other than the most friendly feelings towards me. Further, the testimony of those who were present with the unhappy Sovereign, from that time until his suicide, wholly acquits him of the charge of having cursed any one on the occasion. Besides which, it should be borne in mind, that when Samuel was sent down to me on the evening of the 12th, the King had already heard that his present had been rejected.
In resuming my narrative I shall abstain from any attempt to describe the military operations of the campaign — a task which has already been so ably performed by Mr. C. R. ]\[arkham in his ' History of the Abyssinian Expedition ' — and shiill confine myself to matters connected with the cap- ture of j\ragdala and subsequent events in which I was per- sonally engaged. Through the courtesy of Sir Robert Napier, I was allowed to accompany him in his attack upon the fortress; and was glad to find that, in conjunction with Samuel, I was able to render his ICxcellcncy some sliglit service as the medium of communication between him and the refugees
1868. April. THEODORE'S REMAINS. 339
whom we met running down from Salamge towards A'roge. At 4*30 P.M. Magdala Avas captured, and the Commander-in- Chief entered the place in triumph, attended by his staff, myself among the number. On passing through the outer gate, I recognised Eas I'ngada and Bitwaddad Bakal among those who had fallen on the spot, and on proceeding to the plateau above the inner gate I was called to identify the corpse of the King. It was unmistakable ; there lay the " great Theodore," stretched on his back, with no other covering than a shirt and trowsers. On catching the first glimpse of the lifeless form I was strongly reminded of his strange speech, uttered on the 29th of March, just a fortnight before, when he said that ere long I might stand over his corpse, and begged that I would then forget his ill-treatment and see him decently interred.
When Sir Kobert Napier had settled affairs at Magdala and was returning to the camp at A'roge, he appointed me to take charge of Theodore's remains, the Queens and their establishments, the Chiefs and the native political jmsoners, and also to assist Brigadier-General Wilby, who had been made Commandant of the fortress for the time being, in all his requirements. Our first duty was to remove the corpse of the late King to the inclosure of our old prison-house, where we saw it. deposited on Signor Pietro's couch, and jilaccd under an European guard. On going thence to in- quire after the Queens and the other members of the royal family, we found that they had left their residence, and had repaired for protection to mine, where they were received by Dr. Blanc, who happened to be in the house at the time. As it was the best iu the inclosure, it was allotted to the two (Juoens and Dajjaj 'Alamayo. Moreover, every available room within the fence, including Samuel's, was crowded with the male and fenude relatives — children and adults — of our
z 2
340 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXVIL
old acquaintances, who liad taken refui^e tliere witli what jjroperty they could bring with them, and the entire inclosure was thronged with the horses, mules and cattle which they had conveyed thither for greater safety. After General Wilby had placed a guard over the premises to keep out intruders, we collected all the Magdala Chiefs and lodged them in Bitwaddad Damash's house for the night — also under a guard, to keep them together. We next notified to the rest of the inhabitants that they were to remain quietly in the open space until the morning, when all would be dis- missed to their homes. Poor Damash, who was still suffering from the wounds which he had received that afternoon, got somewhat anxious after I left, apprehending that all those who had fought against the English were to be executed the following day. After seeing that every arrangement had been made for the comfort of the royal family, I repaired again to Damash's house, and in the course of my visit assured him and his companions that they need be under no dread of retaliation on the part of the British Commander-in- Chief. Bitwaddad Wasi was the only one among them whose face wore a smile ; the remainder were absent, and looked like men who thought that their doom was sealed. I took Eas Bisawwir and Bitwaddad Hasani, the two ex-Commandants, to sleep in a room near the royal family, in order that their proximity might inspire the unfortunate Queens and their relatives with confidence ; — the former was cousin to the late King, and had always been intrusted with the royal Hfing. I also quartered with them the Etshege, or Superior of the monks, and two other priests who were held in great venera- tion at Magdala. ]\[r. Waldmeier kindly volunteered to assist in the several duties wliicli devolved upon me during our further stay in the fortress, and I feel bound to recognize his ready and valuable co-operation.
1868. Apkil. now AXD THEN. 341
The extraordinary changes which, in the course of a few eventful hours had succeeded each other so rapidly, kept me awake nearly the Avhole night. I was unable to realize the idea that the dreaded monarch who, only two days before, held the lives of so many Europeans in his power, was now a lifeless mass, sheltered within one of the Franehotsh's huts ; that the Chiefs who had been our jailors, and who from sheer timidity would not have hesitated, at the despot's fiat, to stain their hands with our blood, were at that moment guarded by British sentinels ; and that my old prison-house, where I had lingered out an anxious existence for twenty-two months, had been converted into an asylum for the royal family. Ever and anon I fancied myself in a dream ; then, again, I felt sure that we were free, and that the fear of an ignominious death had passed away. Truly, the deliverance was marvel- lous ; no wonder, therefore, that for a time it should seem doubtful. God moves in a mysterious way ; but the agency of His superintending Providence in the liberation of the captives was too manifest not to call forth from all a humble tribute of praise and thanksgiving for His merciful inter- vention.
Of the rescuing array — ofScers and men, soldiers and sailors, British and Indian — through which that intervention was wrought out, England may justly feel proud. Bloodless as \\as the campaign ou our side, it was, nevertheless, sig- nalized by a display of the noblest qualities which can adorn the true warrior — self-restraint, patient endurance, and in- domitable perseverance. Incompetent as I am to make any remarks on the purely military conduct and manoeuvres of the Abyssinian Expedition, those are qualities alike appre- ciable by all, and, therefore, humble as the foregoing testi- mony may be, a deep sense of admiration and gratitude impels me to record it.
312 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS ^YELL. Chap. XXYIL
14^//. — This afternoon Dr. Lumsdaine and Dr. Blanc having examined the bullet-wound in the head of Theodore's corpse reported oilicially that the King had died by liis own hand. The ball had passed outwards from the mouth, which was blackened and scorched by the charge, and the palate had been blown away.
Sir Eobert Napier could not have conferred a greater com- pliment upon me than that of intrusting the remains of Theodore and the supervision of liis bereaved family to my care, thereby enabling me to prove to the Abyssinians that their late Sovereign had not vainly styled me his " friend." There was nothing, indeed, which the kind-hearted Com- mander-in-Chief would not have done to alleviate the sorrow and add to the comfort of the King's surviving relatives. I had only to submit a request on their behalf, either to him directly or through Colonel Merewether, and it was granted at once.
Orders having been received after the post-mortem ex- amination that the King's remains were to be interred, I directed the Etshege, Aito Samuel, Theodore's confessor, and two other priests, to have the corpse prepared for burial, according to the Abyssinian custom, wrapped in a suitable shroud, which was generously provided by Samuel. It was an affecting sight to witness the reverence with which the dignitaries of the Church performed these last offices for their departed Sovereign. They approached the life- less body with their sMmmas girt ; and their whole behaviour on the mournful occasion proved that, even in death, Theo- dore had not wholly lost the affection of, at least, some of his subjects. The grave had been previously dug in the church at Mdgdala, and when all the preliminaries were completed, I made over the corjise to the old Chiefs, avIio accompanied the clergy to see it buried. Samuel and I were unable to be present
1868. April. DISMISSAL OF CHIEFS. 3i3
at the funeral, as Colonel Merewetlier had just come up to the fortress to make arrangements for the future movements of the Queens and the Prince Dajjaj 'Alamayo ; also to dis- pose of the political prisoners and the inhabitants of Mag- dala. In reply to Colonel Merewether's question, what her wishes were regarding her son 'Alamayo, the Itege Teru- Wark said, that as his father, when alive, had made him over to the English, through me, she preferred abiding by his wishes, and was herself ready to follow him wherever he went. The Itege Itamanyo, Theodore's favourite ex- Queen, expressed a desire to return to her native Yadjow, and would leave us in Wtidala, the nearest place to that district. I then accompanied Colonel Merevvether to wit- ness the dismissal of the old Magdala Chiefs and the poli- tical prisoners. The gallant Colonel had a kindly word for all, bade them not fear, and assured them, on the part of the Commaudcr-in-Chief, of a safe-conduct through the Gallas and other deadly enemies, of whom they were in great dread. He also promised to provide all with animals for themselves and their wives, in order to enable them to reach their respective homes with greater ease. Some evil- disposed person having had the cruelty to tell the Chiefs that they would be retained as prisoners, and that several of them would probably be hanged, this authoritative announcement was hailed by thcin with intense satisfaction.
Early the following morning, I returned to Magdala from the head-quarters at A'roge, with instructions to provide the Chiefs and their families with the proper number of mules and horses from those which had been seized after the capture of the fortress. Almost the whole day was spent on this task, and when the hour came for starting towards A'roge, which was the route which I had been directed to take, we found the road so blocked up by a relief which was
SU ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXYIL
going on at tlie time between two European regiments, that I had to posti)one our departure till next day,
l(jth. — Early this morning I Avas informed that one of the gateways leading to Salamge had fallen, and that we could not j5ass that way until the road was cleared. As the Com- mander-in-Chief had ordered that all the Abyssinians should leave the Amba as soon as possible, and as I was moreover anxious to see the royal family safely located at head-quarters, I determined to w^ait no longer. I accordingly took the Queens, who had been furnished with a guard of honour by General Wilby, and tried to escort them to A'roge by the Kafir-Bar Gate ; but on beginning the descent by the narrow path at its entrance, it was discovered that the loads carried by the mules were too bulky to pass that way, without being first discharged and then reloaded beyond the gate. As that process would have occuj)ied an hour or two, we retraced our steps to our old quarters, and on arriving there found that the Salamge Gate had been rendered passable. Thereupon I accompanied the cortege for some distance, and then leaving the Queens in Mr. Waldmeier's charge went to Salasse to distribute swords, shields and spears to the late inhabitants of Magdala, Sir Kobert Napier having most considerately ordered that they should be provided with these arms, in order to be able to defend themselves against attack on the way back to their respective homes. That done, I rejoined ]\Ir. Waldmeier and his charge within half a mile of the pickets, and reached head-quarters towards evening. My tent, which I had brought from Aden, and which was the largest in the camp, had already been pitched for me ; and having ushered the royal party into it, I gave them all the carpets with which the late King had presented me, and which now proved very useful. Meanwhile, the released native political prisoners, the Magdala i^eople, and
1868. April. MAGDALA IN FLAMES. 345
all other Abyssinians, were located beyond tlie pickets, between the camp and the Amba.
11th. — I received orders early this morning to proceed to Dalanta with the royal family, under the escort of a detach- ment Avhich was going thither, and there await the arrival of head-quarters. We reached the halting-place at Abbaba in the afternoon, and pitched our tents next to those of my liberated fellow-captives, and of some of the European artisans who had preceded us to the spot. On the way, while ascending the valley of the Bashilo, we had heard the loud consecutive reports caused by the blowing up of the gates of Magdala, and on turning round I saw the lurid flames ascending from that late abode of iniquity, tyranny and bloodshed, proclaiming to the surrounding country far and near that the sceptre of the oppressor of his people was broken, and his last r&fuge reduced to a heap of ruins. Thousands of widows and orphans probably gazed with wonder at the sight, and invoked a blessing upon their English deliverers, who, besides vindicating their own national honour, and adding a fresh trophy to British fame, had saved many a doomed victim from the fate which had been reserved for them by the ruthless Theodore. The two Queens and their attendants could not resist casting a glance behind them, and as the- cherished Itamanyo looked upon the glowing mass, she sighed and said, "Now tliat our lord has gone, may all Abyssinia be consumed by fire ! " Nevertheless, this lady was always cheerful, 8i)oke kindly to every one, and while she remained with us was a general favourite with the late King's followers. On the other haml, the Itege Teru-Wark, the de jure Queen Consort, was always silent and dejected, and on inquiring into the cause I was told tliat she was naturally taciturn and reserved, and had ever manifested a dislike for gossip.
346 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXVII.
In reply to an attempt wliich on one occasion I made to encourage and cheer her, assuring her that she could not have better protectors than the Britisli, she said that she entertained no doubt whatever on that jDoiut, but she felt that her days were numbered, for which she was not sorry ; and then added, " Mine has been a miserable existence since childhood, and I am now looking forward to that happiness which is promised me by our Savioui"."
18th. — All the troops which had remained behind at A'roge, together with the Commander-in-Chief and his Staff, reached Dalanta to-day, and on the 20th there was a grand review of the wdiole force, at which all the released captives were present. On the 21st the latter, myself excepted, were dispatched with the Second Brigade to Antalo, there to await the arrival of head-quarters. I remained behind in charge of the ex-Queens and the young Prince, and started with them on the 23rd, in the rear of the army. On the 24th we crossed the Chetta valley. Sir Eobert Napier having kindly attached an European guard to the royal suite, I was able to have a separate camp for them, outside that of the force, where all other Abyssinians also who were under the Commander-in-Chiefs protection located them- selves. While at Wadala, before crossing the Takkaze river, the Itege Itamanyo left with her retinue for her native district, Yadjow, under the protection of a new Chief who had rebelled against the Wakshum Gobaze.
The day before we left Abbaba the Itege Teru-Wark fell sick, but as her ailment was reported to be nothing but a cold, no anxiety was felt as to the result. It turned out, however, that she was suffering from pulmonary disease. As soon as the Commander-in-CIiief was apprised of her indis- position, he appointed his Staff Surgeon, Dr. Lumsdaine, to attend her ; and as she felt rather weak the day after, a palan-
18G8. May. DEATH OF THE QUEEX. 317
quin was placed at her disposal, with bearers to carry her. In fiict, nothing was wanting on the part of Sir Eobert Napier to relieve and comfort her. Dr. Lumsdaine's assiduity and kindness towards his royal patient could not be surpassed, and the poor lady frequently expressed her gratitude to me for the sympathy and attention which she received both from her medical attendant and the Commander-in-Chief. Despite all our efforts, however, her health gradually declined. Now and then there was a slight rally, but she succumbed at last, and died almost suddenly on the evening of the 15th of May, at Haik-hallet, near Chelicut. I had noticed throughout the journey that the state of the atmosphere had a wonderful effect upon her : when it was fine, her health seemingly im- proved ; but wet or damp weather increased her malady and made her breathing more difficult. There was a heavy fall of rain the evening she died, and at about nine o'clock I ordered a basin of arrow-root with a little port wine to be prepared for her, but her attendant through whom I intended sending it, and who had just left the Queen, informed me that she was too ill to take any food. I then bade him go and ask whether she would like a little gruel ; he came running back immediately with the melancholy tidings that she had breathed her last during his short absence from her. I forthwith repaired to the tent, which was always pitched a few yards from mine, and foun<l tluit the sad intel- ligence was true. There lay the lifeless body, but the features were unchanged, and seemed composed as in a quiet sleep. The Commander-in-Chief, on receiving my report of the melancholy event, directed me to see that she was buried with the honours due to her station. I accordingly dis- patched a messenger during the night to the priests of a large church at Chelicut, requesting them to come early the following morning to arrange for the interment. On dis-
3i8 ALL'S WELL THAT END'S WELL. Chap. XXVIL
covering that the deceased Queen's paternal grandfather had been buried some years before in a vault in the same church, I directed that her remains should be deposited next to his, and that a suitable monument should be raised over the spot, for which services the priests received pre- payment.
After the death of the Queen, her mother and most of her attendants returned to their respective homes, well provided for ; the remainder, together with Samuel and other Abyssinians who were still under British protection, accom- panied us to Senaf^. I am happy to say that Sir Robert Napier rewarded all those Abyssinians whose faithful services I brought to his notice; and a great number of the late King's followers, who had assisted me to the best of their power during their master's lifetime, were kindly cared for by his Excellency's orders, so long as they travelled with the army on its return to the coast.
At Senate all Abyssinian followers were dismissed, except- ing two old dependents of the deceased Queen^ to whom the Prince was strongly attached. His foster-motlier, who be- longed to a Shankela tribe, we were obliged to part with, as her services were no longer needed, and she would have proved a great incumbrance. The late Itege having expressed a wish that her son should continue his Amharic studies, Lord Napier was kind enough, at my recommendation through General Merewether, to allow Alaka Zaunab, the late Keeper of the Royal Archives, and a pious Christian, to be attached as tutor to Dajjaj 'Alamayo. For some reason or other, the Alaka was subsequently discharged, which, if regard be had to the Prince's eventual usefulness to his own country, is much to be regretted.
We reached Zoolla on the 27tli of IMay, where, in pursuance of instructions to that effect, I consigned the young Priuce
1868. June. HOMEWARD BOUND. 349
to the care of the local political officer. On the 30tb, I and my late fellow-captives, with the exception of Consul Cameron who remained behind, started in the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer * Ottowa,' and in due course arrived at Suez, wliere we left Signer Pietro and all Theo- dore's late European servants. On the 13th, Messrs. Stern, Rosenthal and Flad, with the wives and children of the two latter gentlemen, left Alexandria with me for Brindisi ; my late companions, Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, having left the day before by the route via Marseilles, pre- ceded by Mr. Kerans, who had embarked on board a Liver- pool steamer, on his way to Ireland. Mr. Flad and his family separated from us at Brindisi to go up the Adriatic, while the rest of our party went on to Paris. Leaving Mr. and ]\Irs. Rosenthal there, Mr. Stern and I started together for Calais, and reached British soil once more, in health and safety, on tlie 22nd of June, 1868. The welcome which awaited me from many old and valued friends, whose former hospitality had made England a home to me, outweighed the memory of past sufferings, and in the midst of their cordial sympatliy and generous kindness the anxieties and perils of my sojourn in Abyssinia are fast fading away into the un- reality of a dream.
Tlie official Report to Government of my proceedings in Abyssinia having been submitted to Parliament, I received in due course the following gratifying reply and handsome a(;knowledgment of the services and endurances of the dif- ferent members of the Mission from her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs : —
''Foreign Office, December 5t7i, 1868. " Sin, — T have directed a letter to be addressed to you in regard to your financial arrangements during your mission in Abys- sinia, and as I must now hold your accounts to bo virtually closed,
350 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Chap. XXYH.
l)e3'ond pucli information as yon may still be able to afford, it is luy duty to signify to you that I sball no longer detain you from your duties under the India Government.
" I cannot, however, close my correspondence with you without expressing the high sense entertained by Her Majesty's Govern- ment of your conduct during the difficult and arduous period of your employment under this Office. You appear throughout to have acted for the best, and your prudence, discretion, and good management, seem to have tended greatly to preserve the lives and thus to insure the ultimate release of the captives.
" Your companions, Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux, are also entitled to the thanks of Her Majesty's Government, which I request you to convey to them, for the uniform and zealous support which they gave to you during very trying times.
" The sufferings which you all underwent have been deeply deplored by Her Majesty's Government, and as some compensa- tion, therefore, as well as a testimony of appreciation of good service, they have resolved to present a siun of 5000Z. to your- self, and sums of 2000Z. each to Dr. Blanc and Lieutenant Prideaux.
" I am, &c.,
(Signed) "Stanley." " Hormuzd Hassam, Esq.,
d-c, tCc, dc."
Proud of having been judged worthy of such a testimonial from her Majesty's Government, I shall feel prouder still of the approval of the British public, to whose verdict this Narrative of the Mission to King Theodore is now sub- mitted. A Chaldean by birtli, Great Britain is the country of my adoption ; but although I cannot boast of being an Englishman, I can glory in this — that, to the best of my ability, I have endeavoured to emulate the loyalty of her most loyal sous.
INDEX.
ABAI, EIVEB.
Abai, river, i. 202 ; ii. 1, 125. Aha-Fakk, ii. 183. Abbaba, halt at, ii. 34."), 347. 'Abdallah-abii-Kliuiii" ir, acting Gover- nor of Casala, i. l.")2. 'Abdallah ErtciKli, Lieut.-Governor of
Massnwub, i. CO. 'Alxiallah Khali 1, i. .S3. 'Ab(l-ul->Ielek, Coptic messenger, i.
1.54. 'Abd-iil-Kcrim, brother to the Nayib of
Harkiko, i. 71, 85, 88. 118, 122", 132 ;
leavL-s tlie Mission at Ciisala, 142. 'Abd-ur-Kahman Ry, Envoy from
Egypt, i. 192 ; ii. 24. Ab-hau, i. 71. Ahitu, Lij, ii. 2, 95. Abiina .Salama, the Metropolitan,
Autiior's letters to, i. 7, 78; his
character and death at Magdala, ii.
193-5 ; his opinion of Abyssinian
marriages, 220. Abu-Sill, Siieikh of Kclarif, i. 153. Abyssinian.s, cliarartcr of, ii. 249 ; their
kindness to servants, 250. Aehattar, di.-triot, i. 232. 235. Adam, Yai^lwilaka. ii. 185. Adurdi, valley, i. 12S. Aden, dcpartiirf of ^lission from, i. 2 ;
visit to, 113; return to Massowah
from, 114. Adina, on lake Tftna, i. .308. Adjuration " by the death of Theodore,"
i. 101 ii. 50. A<lv<iitiirers, European, in Abyssinia, i.
32, 303. Adwa, or Adowa. i. 103. Ala-Xegus IJahii, ii. 290. Agalari (iolam, a eiuuuberlain, sent to
Miigdala to release! old captives, ii. 5 ;
dies of elioKra, 129. Agdv^mCdGr. di.slrict, i. 235, 245, 294. Agows, the, i. 'SMi. Ahmed Ariiy, Chiuf of the Danakil, i.
37. Aliinel, Imfim of the Willo-fJallas,
writes to the Author and tlie Abuna
to siirrr'mler Mugdala to liim, ii. 250. Aidee, i. 90.
ArTHOR.
Aigai, i. 133.
Ailat, i. 53 ; hot-springs at, 57.
'Ain, i. 85, 90, 120.
Aito, title, import of, 15G-7.
Samuel, see Samuel.
Alaka I'ngada, chief scribe, ii. 55.
'Alamayo, Dojjaj, only legitimate son of Theodore, ii. 33(5; introduced to Author, 292 ; brought by Author to ^ Zoolla, 349.
'Alami. Daj_jaj, sent by Theodore to Sir Robert "Napier, ii. 319.
Alexandria, visit of Mission to, i. 111.
Ambaa, i. 84, 120.
Amhara, country and people, ii. 271.
Amusley Bay, i. 81.
Ansiiba, i. 125.
Antalo, ii. 34G.
Arafat,!. 162.
Aral, Sheikii of the El-Bakhit, i. 129.
Ariko, i. 220.
Armenian, an, his adventures with Theodore, i. 17.
Army, Theodore's, i. 274 ; on tlie march, 292; King's care for, 293; cholera in, ii. 125.
, British, of rescue, tribute to, ii.
341.
A'roge, Theodore at, ii. 224; British camp at. 318, 339.
Artisan.s, Theodore's European, reach Korata, ii. 14 ; their wives and fami- lies, 27 ; accompany Jlission to Zage, 56; general friendliness to the Mis- sion, 07 ; dinner party to, 70 ; their fuial deliverance from Magdala, 327.
A'shfa, meeting witii Tlieodore at, i. 24s ; departure from, 274.
Asida, a native disli, i. 104.
Asft.s, i. 71.
Atbnra, river, i. 148; excursion to, 172.
Atte-Mitryam, tribe, their conversion to Islam, i. 87.
Autlior, his appointment to the Mission, i. 2 ; his first four letters to Theoilore from Massowah. 5, 41, 01. 107; totho Abftna, 7, 78 ; fo Col. Merewether, 100; his first interview with Theo- dore, 248 ; tries to prevent a meeting between Theodore and tiie old cap- tives, ii. 27, 7U ; holds a court to try
352
INDEX.
captives, 35; his letter to Theodore on the subject, 40 ; is arraigned at Zage, 84 ; becomes security for the captives, fl8, 14:^; letter to Govern- ment on Theodore's demand for arti- sans, 102; remonstrates with the King, 104, 10(J ; receives visits from Tlieodoro, 108, 130, 155 ; arraigned at Debra Tabor, 141; a prisoner at Miigdala, 100 ; his cliains lightened, 197 ; lady visitors to, 207 ; is unfet- tered, 273 ; suggests that Theodore should make overtures to Sir Robert Napier, 307 ; his last interview with the King, 323 ; did not deceive Theo- dore, 327 ; not cursed by him, 337 ; takes cliarge of the remains of Theo- dore and of his ex-Queens, 339, 345 ; safe return to England, 350.
Awasa, raid ou by Takroories, i. 177, 182.
Awhe, i. 130,
Baat, i. 128.
Bagameder, district, revenue of, ii. 10.
Bajirwand Kiinfu, steals Theodore's charmed rifle, ii. 295.
Bahri. Bitwadilad, ii. 179.
Biikal, Bitwiiddad, ii. 180.
Balal-bin-'Abdallah, a tShoho Chief, i. 81.
Biilas, i. 224.
Baldariiba, what, i. 271.
Bahviiha, i. 192.
Barca, Muslims of, attack Christians of Bogos, i. 44 ; incursions of, 120 ; cli- mate of, 129 ; visit from Chiefs of, ih. ; bad water in, 133 ; etymology of mime, ib.
Bardel, M., Theodore's charges against, ii. 34 ; obtains copy of a dangerous dociuiient, 00; iiis IVicnd.-^hii) with I'ngada Wark, OG, 77 ; in royal favour, 93, 97; nicknamed "Shrimps," 117, 141 ; betrays j)rojected escape of European artisans, 201.
Barrako, l{a.s, ii. 277, 333.
liarriyali, tribe and district of, 132-4.
Basabir, i, 150.
Busha, captain of Musketeers, ii. 191.
Baskets, native, i. 55.
Beitaiior, Tiieodore at, ii. 25G.
Bel<e, Dr., report of his arrival at Masso- wah, ii. 25; his letter rcaci;es Theo- dfire, 41 ; impolicy of his mission, 40- 50 ; excites the suspicion of the King,
67 ; reports his imprisonment at Halai to Theodore, 110 ; his return to Europe after promising to visit the King, 144.
Beni-Atnir, tribe, i. 129-30; visit from Chief of, 131.
Biancheri, Vicar-Apostolic, i. 9 ; his opinion of Theodore, 29 ; death of, 30.
Bifata, in Me'tcha, ii. 277, 292.
Biraad, i. 125.
Birds, at Magdala, ii. 209.
Bisiiwwir, Basha. a doorkeeper, ii. 185.
, Bitwiiddad, ii. 109 ; his trial for
treason, 280.
Blanc, Dr., his appointment to the Mis- sion, i. 2.
, Mrs. i. 45.
Bogos, province, i. 23, 72, 85 : visit from Collector of Customs in, 126.
Bourgaud, M., ii. 4 ; IMadame, 27.
Brandeis, Mr., imprisoned at Magdala, ii. 201.
Brantt', river, i. 236.
Brundo, raw meat, how eaten, i. 198.
Busson, Count du, i. 44.
C.
Cameron, Consul, letters to tlie Author from, i. 63, 73, 75, 78; Theodore's charges against, 202, 299 ; ii, 33, 305.
Canoes, bulrush, on Eake Tana, i. 309.
Captives, old, arc liberated and reach Korata, ii. 28 ; to be tried, 31 ; Theo- dore's cliarges against, 33, 34 ; result of trial, 40 ; start homeward, 82 ; are brouglit back to Zage in chains, 91 ; are unfettered, 98 ; niarcli with King and Mission to Korata, 128 ; at CJaf- fat, 133-5; sent to Rlagdala, 159; placed in fetters, 101; their quarters at IMiigdala, 101, 202; their fare at Magdala. 203-4 ; jilaeed uniler strict watcli, 284 ; rclea^^ed from chains, 303 ; summoned with Mission to Sa- liimgc, 311; sent back to IMiigdala, 315 ; recalled to Salamge, 321 ; dis- missed to British camp, 324.
Carpendale, Lieut., i, 48, 53, 57, 105, 108.
Casala, arrival at, i. 130 ; ruined state of, 137 ; country betweeu it and Ke- darif, 149.
Cliiilga, plateau of, i. 207.
Ciielieut, ii. 348,
Chetta, valley, ii. 205.
INDEX.
'6od
CHOLERA.
Cholera, in the Hijaz. i. 78 ; at Masso-
wah, 116; in Theodore's camp, ii.
124-8. Church, Abyssinian, description of, i.
217. Clergy, Abyssinian, lav contempt for, i.
235. Coffin, Mrs., i. 22. Communicants, in Abyssinian Churcli,
i. 312. Converts, from Islam to Christianity at
Magdala, ii. 213. Coptic Patriarch, Theodore's charges
against, ii. 62. Crocodiles, in the Atbara, i. 148, 172.
D.
Ddbterfi. Dasta, messenger, i. 213 ; de- corated with the Royal Shirt, ii. 25 ; un-shirts himself, 50 ; in the royal robes, 51.
Dagrec, valley, i. 72.
Dagussa, grain, i. 189.
Dak, island in Lake Tana, i. 315 ; how- reduced by Tlieodore, ib.
Dakla-Guargis, Dajjaj, i. 81, 103.
Dakn-ul-Fil, i. 186.
Dalanta, people of, submit to Theodore, ii. 256 ; ho breaks faith witli them, 270.
* Dail;ousie,' steamer, i. 2, 29.
Damash, Bitwiiddad, one of Mdgdala Council, ii. 171-4; tried for treason 280 ; charged with cowardice, 294 his raid again&t the Gallas, 297 •wounded at the storming of Magdala, 334.
Danibi'a, district of, i. 215.
Diirnbi'a, lake of, see Tana.
Damot, district of, i. 244, 273.
Dang we, i. 241.
Danka, i. 294.
DankOra, i. 232, 308.
Dasait, i. 92.
Da.sta, Dajjaj, petty Chief of Magdala, ii. 262.
Dilwunt, ntrr>city of an insurgent of, ii. 242 ; if.s submission to Theodore, 269 ; ho breaks faith with its people, 270.
Debni Tabor. Thcorlorp at, ii. 131 ; holds an assize oti the Ca])tivcs at, 141 ; Mi.ssion confined at, 145 ; trial of rebels at, 148.
Delmonte. Padre, i. 9, 2(;, 60, 113; ii.
4. Dhdfar, Bitwaddnd, ii. 181.
vol,. II.
G^VBE-LUKUM.
Dharita, a shrewd Mussulman of, i.
51. Dissee, island, i. .37. Dust-storms, at Massowah, i. 9, 19, 91,
103 : at Casala, 141. Dwarkin, rivulet, i. 204.
E.
; Earthquake, at Massowah, i. 30. 43.
Eipperle, Mr., i. 163, 171, 178, 185.
El-Agamat, i. 71. 1 El-'A'zazS, i. 151. i El-Bakhit, tribe, i. 129. I Elephants, i. 82, 128.
El-Gaidat, i. 157.
El-J'a'afara, i. 159.
El-lSIadag, i. 156.
El-Maradib, i. 187.
Essler, Mr., imprisoned at Magdala, ii.
261.
. Etiquette, Abyssinian, in eating, i. 228 ;
I in riding, 245, ii. 126; in address,
I 220, 224; in presentation, 225; in
drinking, 226.
Etshege, Superior of Monks, ii. 340-1.
F.
Fallake, see Speedy.
Fanta, a Gondar merchant, i. 114.
FarOhe, i. 309.
Fiittam, river, i. 241.
Fcker-Kasa, a friendly indemnity, ii. 35.
Festival, of the Drum, at Matamma, i. 174.
Fetteh-Ncgfist, code of Abyssinian law, ii. 104, 148.
Fish, .d' Lake Tsina, i. 224 ; flying-fish at Massowah, 103.
Flad, Mr., i. 50, 52 ; letters to Author from, 62, 75 ; joins Author at Korata, ii. 11 ; sent with letter to the Queen from Theodore, 103 ; testimony to his kind e.\ertions, 206 ; forwards Queen's nply to Theodore fnnu INlassowah, 231 ; his account of Theodore's views on the api)roach of the 15ritisli army, 266 ; is itllDWcd to reside at Magdala, 272 ; sent by Tlieodore to Sir llobert Napier, 319.
G.
Gdhana-WadgHnfalo, i. 125. Gftl*-I.ukam. 1. 127. 134.
2 A
354
INDEX.
G^bra, ^uidc from Mataramn. i. 18fi.
Gabra-Madhnne'Alam, Balambams, Go- vernor of Wandi'ge, i. 808 : ii. 74, 90 ; rebels against Theddore, '21G.
Gabrie, Fit-awrari, ii. 27G.
Gabrie, Ras, imprisoned at Magdala, ii. 261.
Gabza, 1. 70.
Gadaret, i. Sf., 90, 121.
GMiro, ii. 128.
Gaffat, i. 50; captives arrive at, ii. 131.
Gainti Bisawwir, Bitwaddad, one of Magdala Conneil, ii. 181.
Gallabat, inhabitants of, i. 1.57; govern- ment of, lo8; etymology of name, 1.58.
Gallas, contemptible as assailants, ii. 251; raid on the, 295; their mutila- tion of captives, 29G.
Game, nee Sport.
Gastineau. M., i. 21.
Gesho, a plant used in fermentation, ii. 119.
Geta and Getotsh, import of the titles, 156-7.
Gint, i. 205.
"Girding," ii. 221-224.
Gishen, i. 206 ; ii. 332.
Goija, i. 221 ; ii. 76.
Gajjamy Kasa, i. 196, 233-4.
Gojje', Dajjaj, one of Magdala Council, ii. 180 ; on a raid against the Gallas, 297.
Gondar, old capital, rumoured sack of, i. 35; glimpso of, 214; sacked bv Theodore, ii. 17. 230-1.
Gon(ia,wa, river, i. 187.
Greek priest, mission of, to Theodore, i. 77; ii. 144.
Guang&l, ii. 192.
Guinea-wonn, i. 151.
G&ks, native tournament, ii. 121-2.
Gumara, river, ii. 130.
(u'lna, Mt.,ii. 159.
H.
Hagiography, Abyssinian, ii. 128.
Haik-iiallet, death of the ex-Queen T('TU-Wark at, ii. 347.
Hail, on IMount (iiina. ii. 159 ; hailstorm at Magdala, 265.
Hallo, messenger, decorated with Royal Shirt, ii. 8 ; death of, 256.
Hailo. Hitwiiddad, oiieofAIagdala Coun- cil, ii. 174-177 ; cscaiK's from Magdala, 276.
Hailo, Bitwaddad, of Chalga, ii. 181. Hailo Kfisa, Tlieodore's youngest son,
ii. 336. Haji Adam Korman. .story of his lost
wife, i. 31 : his opinion of the Aby>;-
sinians, 83 ; prognosticates the ill-
suc-css of the I\Iis.<ion. 102. Hall, Mr. Moiitz, kissed by Theodore, ii.
113; dragged in chains to Magdala,
277. Hallet-ul-Kanz, i. 154. Hiillet-Wadabein. i. 152. Hallet-Wadab.sin, i. 152-3. Hamarai. 1. 128.
Humid, Sheikh of the Beni-'Amir, i. 131. Hamus-Gabia, market, i. 220. llaninrua, tribe, i. 134. Harkiko. i. 10 : water at. 14; visit to, 37. Hasan P]ffendi, Kawwas. 1. 44; his
effrontery, 159; leaves the Mission at
IMatiimma, 174. Hiisani, Bitwaddad, new Commamlant
at INlagdala, ii. 283. Hawashet, vallev, i. 132. Hibab, tribe, i. 8(5, 88, 90, 122. Hibub, wells, i. 126. Hippopotami, i. 3 1 2 ; a lucky sliot at, 31 3. Honev, from a tree, i. 173. Hozat, i. 89. Huts, moveable, i. 56 ; of Abyssinian
soldiers, 275. Hyffinas, i. 48, 205, 212.
I.
Ibdnkab, ii. 159.
Ibrahim, messenger, i. 95 ; his marriage,
103. Ibrahim, a Shoho, a relative of Samuel,
i. 66. Idris-Dar, i. 134. Idris Hasan. c.\-Nayib of Harkiko, i. 37;
visit to, 46. Ifaliad, i. 87. Ik war, i. 55.
Ilfing, royal female cstaldishment : cap- tives' quarters at Magdala near to, ii.
162. I'ngada, Ras, Theodore's Prime Minister,
his history, i. 255-258. I'ngiidit Wark, i. 269, ii. (j6, 150; is put
In death, 315. Injabara, valley, battle-.'ield, i. 238. I'rkinn, a Chief of Dalanta, liis fidelity
to tiie Mission, ii. 247, 268, 272. Itainanyo, Queu7i, her sympathy with the
Captives, ii. 106 ; her robe presented
to Autiior, 117; her origin and mar-
INDEX.
355
ITEGE. j MARCOPOLI.
riage with Theodore, 218 ; her con- ' Kidana Maryam, a page, brutally mas- version to Chi-istiauity and religions sacred, ii. 315. devution, 21ii ; rotnrns to her home Kiltc, river, i. 235, 308. after the death of Theodore, 346. Kitba, i. 124.
Itege, Empress. See Itamanyo and Kokai, rivnlet, i. 187. Teru-Wark. Komar, i. 187.
Iz-nil-Din. Prime Minister at Matamma, Korata, i. 31o, 319; snjouiu of Mission i. 1(;2, 173. at, ii. 1-80.
j Kwakura, i. 23G. Kwara, i. 207 ; ii. 2Ut3.
.la'afara, i. 157.
Jage, i. 128.
Jarar, ])oint, at Massowah, i. 11, 7'.).
Jebel Tayif, i. 108.
Jiddali, arrival uf Mission at, 108 ; town
of, 109. Juma'ah, Sheikh of Gallabat, i. 1.57 ;
visit from, 164 ; hurangues liis troops,
175 ; farewell to, 1^2.
K.
Kalamat, i. 123.
Kaldur-koy, style of serving dinner, i. 38, 64.
Kamants, their character and religion, i. 208.
Kiln far, i. 85, 92, 120.
Iviinfu Dajjaj, Tlieodore's father, i. 229.
Kauoha, i. 224.
Kiintilia Ilailo, ex-Mayor of Gondar, ii. 13; his liistory, 16-20; urges Theo- dore'to release the captives, 106; his credulity, 138 ; imprisoned at Mag- dala, 261.
Karkue, Mt.. i. 132.
Kar-Obel, i. 128.
Kasii, Aito, merchant of Koratn, i. 32 ; arraigned by Theodore, ii. 105.
Kasha, lia.-jha, a brave Andiara, ii. 301.
Kasa, Lij, xee Tiieodore.
Kasn, Lij, a courtier, ii 2.
Kedfirif," district, i. 151. {See Htillet- Wad:ibsiii.)
Kedus Mikiiil, church, i. 210.
Kerans, Mr., ii. 112, 114, 154, 340.
Kha.sm-ul-Ghirbah, i. 148.
Khatmia, i. 142.
KhojalJcdn'w, i. 21, 77, 102.
Khoja I'anagiotes Kozika, i. 139.
Khnr-Ithrib. i. 159.
Klior-ul-(ia.-<h, i. 143.
Khui-ul-Lail;',h, i. 187.
Kidana i\hiryam, Ras, Commandant of Miigdaln, ii. 160; his history, 1G7 ; is pii; iti inms. 'I'.V.K
Lagiista, i. 236.
Lakaba, i. 130.
Lebka, i. 86, 121.
Lejean, M., i. 39 ; Theodore's complaints
against, ii. OO, 61. Lent, Abyssinian, i. 311 ; ii. 268. Lih, Yashiili.ka, ii. 228, 273. Lij, title, 197. Lisag, i. 214. Lions, i. 86, 123, 188; Theodore's tame,
ii. 148. Locusts, i. 80 121. Lumsdaine, Dr.. ii. 342 ; his assiduous
attentions to Queen Teru-Wark during
her illness, 347.
M.
Macraire, M., ii. 117, 145, 154, 261.
Magamayatat, i. 86, 90, 121.
Miigdala, dispatch of stores and letters to, i. 64; Captives arrive at, ii. 160; kindness of its Chiefs, 165 ; our guardians at, 167-186 ; our domestics at, 187; i)risou-discipline of, 189; our guards at, 191; gntes of, 192; escape of captives from impracti-'ablc, 193; Captives' quurlers at, 202; fare at, " 203 ; entertainment of public guests at, 205 ; society, 205-6 ; water, soil, and climate, 208-9 ; birds, 210 ; re- ligious reform amonij; soldiery, 211; Divine Service at, 214 ; communica- tion between it and royal camp cut otl', 241; re-opened, 256; Chief's and Kurf>pean arti.sans imprisonal at. 261 ; dismantled l)y TliLodore, 278 ; Theo- dore's entrance into, 279 ; Theodore's siijierstitious views respecting, 305; sturmed by I5ritish, 334 ; dismissal of Chiefs at; 343-4 ; in flames, 345.
Miihabar, i. 121.
Mahlal), i. 127.
Marcopoli, Signor, i. 120, 130, 142. 178, 185.
2 A 2
o56
INDEX.
mXrgaf.
Margaf, robe, ii. 117.
l\Iiirisn, dish, i. 1'j4.
Markets, Abyssinian, i. 220.
Markhani, Mr. C. R., bis ' History of the Abyssinian Expedition,' ii. 338.
Marmadiyat, watercourse, i. 148.
Marriages, Abyssinian. ii. 215-220; ^acra- mental, 210 ; second-rate, 219; third- rale, 219.
Maryam-Wiiha, i. 185.
Mashisha, Afa-Nepus, deserts to the Gal las from Magdala, ii. 295.
Mashisha, Eas, eldest son of Theodore, ii. 45 ; introduced to the Autlior, 57 : escapes Irom Magdala, oolj.
Mashlat, i. 89, 90.
IVIasir i T2
Mastyat. Queen of Wello-Gallas, ii. 250.
Maswiilia. stream, i. 237.
Matanima. district, government of, i. 157; called by Arabs ' Suk-ul-Galla- bat,' 158 ; climate of, 165 ; produce, 167; fairs at, 167; slave-trade, 168; horses and cattle, ib. ; revenue and army, 169; review of troops, 171; Festival of the Drum at, 172; return of troops from a raid, 182.
Mateb, cord, <listii)guisiiing Abyssinians from non-Ciiristians, Kamants forced to wear, i. 209; borne by converts, ii. 213.
]\Iiltrah-]\raddai, i. 72.
Mayer, Mr., ii. 24, 324.
Mckelvie, ii. 112, 145.
Meat, slaughtered by Christians and Mussulmans, i. 88; raw, see Brundo.
Meniiek, King of Shoa, proposes to attack Magdala, ii. 250 ; his display and re- treat, 251 ; sends money and a letter to Author, 261.
Mercwether, Colonel, i. 1, 60, 113; his arrival at Antalo, ii. 275; at Ashangi, 302 ; his exertions on behalf of the captives, 325 ; his kindness to the Magdala Chiefs, 343.
Messages, verbal, custom of sending with letters, ii. 3, 5, 23, 27, 41, 76, et passim.
Messengers, Abyssinian, their lidelitv, ii. 245-247.
Metcha, district, i. 273, 289.
Metropolitan, Abyssinian, see Abfma.
Millet, large, i. J51; dillennt ways of cooking, 166.
Milwia, ravine, i. 145.
Miraad, JJalJaj, i. 65, 73.
Mircha Warkee, i. 8.
Mission, to King Theodore, ari-ives at Massowah, i. 3 ; leaves for i'^gypt,
108; returns to Massowah, 114; de- parture for Casala, 120; reaches Ca- sala, 13G; starts for Kedarif, 142; reacl:es Htillet-Wadabsin, 152; — Ma- tiimma, 160;— Wahne, 188;— Theo- dv)re's camp, 248; — Korata, 316: — Zage, ii. 56 ; disgraced, 83 ; under surveillance at Zage, 89; to be re- tained as hostages, 100 ; march with the King and his armv to Korata, 124-128 ;' arrive at Gatia't, 131 ; loca- tion of, there, 133-4; under watch at Debra Tabor, 145; arraigned again at, 152 ; confined at, 153 ; start with Theodore towards Magdala, 159; fettered at, 161 ; quarters at, 202 ; in- vited by Theodore to see mortar brought up to Salamge, 303 ; in tents at Salamge, 312 ; sent back to Magdala, 316 ; liberated and sent to British camp, 325 ; arrival at Zoolla, 349; recognition of its services by Government, 350.
Mohammed Adam, cousin to Nayib of Harkiko, i. 37.
Mohammed-bin -'Al)d-ur-Rahim, Nayib of Harkiko, i. 37 ; his admii-ation of Theodore, 38 ; his adventure with the King, 39.
Mohammed Sa'id, messenger, statement of his interview with Theodore, i. 98; Sent with Agafari Golam to release old captives from Magdala, ii. 5.
Mohammed Sihawy, the lying mes- senger, i. 92, 194 ; a candidate for the Eoyal Shirt, ii. 7; Theodore's apology for him, 9 ; is raised to the rank of Ona, 50.
Moncfilu, water at, i. 14 ; Consul Plow- den's house at, 19; residence of Mission at, 23 ; heat at, 24 ; French Consul's house, 47 ; duiiier given to Massowah authorities at, 64.
INlonkeys, i. 70, 160.
Morland, Lieut., i. 2, 24, 48.
Mortar, Theodore's large, arrests his progress to Magdala, ii. 257 ; is brought up to Salamge, 303.
IMudir, of the iJanakil, i. 53.
Munzinger, M., i. 22, 43, 48. 82, 114; is appointed Britisli Agent at Massowali, 115; sent in advance of tiie British expedition to reconnoitre, ii. 273 ; at Dalanta, 276.
Mutchler, Mr., i. 171, 178, 185.
N.
Nafasa, i. 231, 308.
INDEX.
357
Nagadras Gabra-Madhen, ii. 11.
Napier, Sir Robert, liis proclamation, ii. 255 ; Lis ultimatum, 265 ; letters to Tlieodore. 317, 319 ; messafi:e iu reply to proffered present from, 5327 ; kind- ness to Theodore's survivinj^ family, 342 ; rewards faithful Abyssinians, 348.
Naturalists, German, i. 32, 33.
Nayibs of Harkiko, i. 37 ; visit to, 37.
Ntguse, Basha, a religious reformer at Magdala, ii. 212.
Niir-Habibai, i. 85.
Obsequies, Abyssinian, ii. 258, 260. Occupations, of males and females iu
Abyssinia, i. 191, ii. 72. Odis>o, Aito, niussacrcd by rebels of
Dawunt, ii. 242 ; Theodore's grief for
him, 243. T)miir 'Ali, interpreter, i. 22. Ona Mohammed, see Mohammed Sihawy. Ondo, ii. 13i). Oo1k% Ras, late Chief of Tigre, d. feated
by Theodore, i. 284; impriijoned by
Theodore, ii. 217. Order, of the Cross and Solomon's Seal,
ii. 44, 48. Order, of the Shirt, see Shirt.
Palgrave, Mr. Gifford, i. 104, 111.
'Pantaloon,' H.M.S., i. 29, 61.
I'ietro, Signor, ii. 154.
I'lovsdi,'n, Consul, his Report on the military and political career of Theo- dore, i. 282-287.
Prideanx, Lieut., associated with the Mission, i. 66, 70; sent with mtssago from Theodore to Sir Robert Napier, ii. 319.
Pric.-its, trial of two Abyssinian, ii. 280.
Purtoo Effuiidi, Lieut. -Governor of Massowah, i. 3 ; his opinion of Theo- dore, 4 ; of Massowaii, 25 ; kaves for the llijaz, 32 ; meeting with at Jiddah, 109.
Purvis, Captain, i. 20, tJO.
Queen, her Rritiinnir Majesty, letters to King Themlore from, ii. 38, 231.
Queens, Tlicodorc's, ii. 33(5. See Itji- manyo and Toru-Wtirk.
SEVASTOPOL.
R.
Raines, General, i. 113.
Raro, i. 87.
Ras Harb, i. 108.
Reade, Consul, i. 111.
Revenue, oi Abyssinia, ii. 16.
Rosenthal, Rev. Mr., i. 78 ; Theodore's
charges against, 300 ; ii. 306. Russell, Earl, suggests tliat a British
officer should be attached to Mission,
i. 65 ; his letter to Theodore by Consul
Cameron, ii. 37.
S.
Sabdarat, i. 135 ; view from, 145.
Sabunja, i. 237.
Sahatee, i. 53, 60.
Sakola, i. 276.
Sahimge, plateau, Theodore reaches, ii. 27 ; his large mortar brought to, 303.
Saliisse, attained by Theodore, ii. 277 ; watclies British camp from, 319.
Samhar, the, i. 85, 90.
Samuel, Aito, i. 244 ; liis cliaracter and history, 258 ; appointeil Biildarriba to the jMission, 260 ; his character vindi- cated, 262; his fidelity, 264; arraigned by Theodore, ii. 86, 1U5 ; takes part ■with the Cajitives, 145 ; accompanies Mission to INLigdaia, 159 ; his jtosition at, 161 ; services at, 165 ; death of his wife, 260 ; iu disgrace with Theodore, 278 ; restored to royal favour, 280 ; his visit to British camp and return to Magdala with Sir Robirt Napier's reply to Theodore's proffered present of catth', 327.
Saraba, i. 208.
Saraf-ul-Bawadra, wells, i. 151.
Sar-Amb.i, i. 197, 206 : ii. 167.
Sarmoutsli, creek, in Island of Dak, i. 315.
Sar-wiiha. rivulet, i. 216.
Schiller, Mr., imprisfmed at Magdala, ii. 261. .
Schimjur, Dr., i. 52; letters from, 62, 75 ; his oj)inion of the Abyssinians, ii. 14 ; his .sketch map ul' BagiimiSder and ichtliyologieal researches, 24.
Schwainfurth, Dr., i. 1()3.
Scnafe, Abyssinian followers dismissed at, ii. 348.
Servants, Abyssinian, fidelity of, ii. 244- 249.
Sevastopol, Theodore's large mortar, ii. 303-4.
358
i:ndex.
Sha'ab, i. 85, 91, 121.
Slia'alah, i. 127.
Sliajarut, i. 149.
Shallaka-Shatiisli, i. 240.
Shamma, etiquette in wearing, ii. 221- 224; enveloping liead in, an insult, 22tj.
Shiinkelsi, slaves taken from tlie. i. 1G8.
Sharo, Inj, i. 100.
Sheikh Hasb-Allah, i. 150.
Shells, between Casala and Kedarif, i. 150.
Shirt, Abyssinian Order of tlie, i. 198 ; Theodore proposes to invest tl:e Mis- sion followers witii, ii. 5 ; Theodore and Em-opean shirts, 71.
Shisharo, valley, i. 72, 73.
Sliohos, the, i. (J6, 81.
Shukry, tribe, i. 140; cameleers, 152.
Slave-trade, at Massowah, i. Gl, G8 ; in Abyssinia, 287-8.
Snakes, near Lake Tana, i. 226.
Solib, i. 129.
Soodan, mutiny in the, i. 141; etymology of name, 150.
Speedy, Mr., Theodore's complaints against, ii. G3 ; regarded him as an enemy, 330.
Spies, alleged, sent to Massowah, i. 42.
Sport, i. 24, 54, 56, 73 ; near Lake Tana, 224.
Staiger, Mr., imprisoned at Magdala, ii. 261.
Stanton, Colonel, i. 110; his opinion of Dr. Bekes mission, ii. 47.
Steamer, Theodore's imitation, ii. 120.
Stem, Rev. Mr., letters from, i. G3, 73 ; Theodore's charges against, 299, ii. 305 ; his missionaiy Lbours at Mag- dala, 211 ; fidelit}' of his Abyssinian servants, 219.
Suez, arrival of Mission at. i. 110; re- turn from, 111; homeward journey from, ii. 349.
" Sugar," see Sukkar.
Siikkar, Chief of the Atte'-Maryam, i. 87-89. 122.
Suk-ul-Galla])at, sec Matiimma.
Sunkwaha, i. 204.
Surur, Mt., i. 132.
Tabot, or Ark, i. 225-228 ; ii. 2(;().
Tacrarait, i. 129.
Taiila, liitwaddad, sent to re-arrest old captives, ii. 80, IIG; in charge of (Captives sent to Magdala, 152; ini- l)ii.ioned at, 2G2.
THEODORE.
Tadla Gwalu, deserts from the royal camp and is proclaimed Chief of Gojjam, i. 238 ; battle between his followers and Theodore, 239.
Tiigga, Ras, Commander of the Mus- keteers, ii. 45, 277.
Taka, plain of, i. 145.
Takkaze, river, i. 35, 63.
Takroories, i. 157 ; etvmology of name, 158 ; disobliging, 170.
Tana, Lake, passage across, i. 314-317 : shores of. ii. 7 ; shooting with Theo- dore at, 109, 114 ; artillerv-practico at, 111.
Tankwal, i. 216.
Tartar, i. 150.
Tasiimma, Balanibaras, Master of the Horse, impi isoned at Magdala, ii. 262.
Tasanima, Lij, i. 196, 200, 201, 202; his motlier, 213.
Ta.sho. Lij, i. 196.
Ttj, beverage, i. 19'>.
Teru-Wark, daughter of Dajjai Oobc, married to Theodore, ii. 217," 277, 336 ; makes over her son, 'Alamayo, to the British, 343 ; her death, 347.
Tigreau, dialect, used at Massowah, i. 14.
T'issoo Gobaze, rebel Chief of Walkait, i. 35, 74, 102, 188.
T'issoo Hailo, head of Abyssinian mer- chants trading to Jlassowah, i. 34, 35 ; is imjiri.soned at Magdala, ii. 262.
Theodore, King, fir.st letter from to Author, i. 93, 115 ; his reception of the Mission, 248 ; his complaints against the old Captives, 248-251 ; orders their relciise, 265 ; his letter to the Queen, ib. ; knowledge of Arabic, 270 ; not a beneficent ruler, 278; his parentage and early youtli, ih.; earlv ex])l()its, 280 ; recJives a check at Kediirif, 281 ; marries Tobet, Eas 'All's daughter, 281 ; overthrows Has 'Ali and Eas Oobe, 282-284 ; is crowned Emperor, 284; his early reforms, 285-6; causes of his waning jiower, 288-9 ; his tits of niclauchdly, 290; rapidity of his marches, 291 ; care for his troops, 293; alleged rea.>ton for delaying answering the Author's letter, 295 ; sends order for release of old Captives, 297 ; his complaints against them, 299 ; otfers to make a treaty, 304 ; presents Author with 5000 doHars, 305; arrives at Zagc, ii. 1 ; his ethics, 9 ; agrees to departure of European artisans with Autlioi-, 12 ; used to believe in the black art, 19; writes that he wishes to "consult" Author, 21; pioposcs to
INDEX.
359
decorate members of Mission with the Koyal Shirt, 22 ; intimates tliat the Captives are to be tried, 26 ; arrange- ments thereto, 31 ; seeks an indemnity, 32, 35: demands artisans from Eng- land, 39; forgives tlie Captives, 42; sends Author another 5000 dollars, 45 ; his reception of the Slissinu at Zage, 57 ; consults Chiefs and European artisans about dettiining the Mission, 58, 59 ; his complaints against the Coptic Patriarcli and the Egyptian Government, G2, 63 : against iiis own people, 64 ; directs Author to prepare to leave Abyssinia, 64 ; in European shirts, 71 ; returns a seized packet open to Author, 73 ; changes plan of our return jounu.-y, 76 ; agrees to Author's proposed route, 78 ; orders re-arrest of Captives on their way homeward, SO; his charges against the Author, 84-86; apologizes, 87,92; arraigns tlie Captives at Zage, 93; asks their pardon, 99 ; ciiuses tlie petition from the relatives of the Captives to be read, ib. ; his letter to Queen Victoria asking for artisans, 100 ; his presents to the members of the Mi.-^sion, 107 ; restores part of cash taken from old Captives, 107; visits tlie Author at Zage, 108; commemorates Queen Victoria's birth-day, 110; fellsa su[ipli;int with a billet of wood. Ill ; n counts his wars against Turks and (Jallas, 113; his cruelty at Zage, 115; pro])o.ses that the Author should wear a Mdnjaf, 117; attempts imitation of a steamer, 120; his views on taxation, 131 ; courtesy to Autlior at Gatfat, 132-3 ; his de- scent from Alexander, 137 ; praises the English for providing his people with Amharic bibles, 139; his charges against the Autlior at Debra Tabor, 141-2; claims India and half tlie world besides, 153; visits Captives at Debra Tabor, 155; believes himself mad, 15() ; proceeds with Captives to- wards Magilala, 158; sends Captives on t^) Miigdala, 159 ; his reiuarlfs on hearing that Author was fettered, 163; returns to Debra Tfilior, 164; his difl'erent marriages, 217-219 ; his first letter to Author at Miigdala, 228 ; forwards stores to Author, 229- 238 ; forwards Queen's letter to him for perusal, 23;;; notitics that lie will keep us at Miigilala, 231 ; deelim s a jiroHered present, 240; cut off from Miigdala, 241 ; his cruelties at thiit
TOLKEATION.
period, 241 ; receives copy of Sir Eobert Napier's proclamation, 254 ; reaches Beitahor, 256 ; death of his sister, 258 ; reaches Clietta valley, 260 ; his talk about the Author, 264 ; reaches tlie Dalanta plateau, 267; breaks fidth with the Dalanta people, 268 ; rciichcs the Bashilo, 271; speaks of a " blood bath," 272 ; sends his valuables to IMtigdala, 276; reaches Salamge, 277 : enters Miigdala, 279 ; tries two priests for defamation, 280 ; tries Chiefs for treason, 281 ; returns to Sahinige, 282 : visits IMiigdala again, 286 ; alleged reason for detain- ing the Mission, 287; summons the Author to an interview, ib. ; his altered appearance, ih. ; refers to the impend- ing attack by the British, 289; re- quests the Author to bury him in the event of his death, ih. ; another al- leged motive for detaining the Cap- tives, 290 ; unfetters Bl;mc iind Pri- deaux, 291 ; hopes the British will not despise him for his colour, 292 ; upbraids his Chiefs at Sahimge, 293 ; his charmed rifle, 295 ; his queries on European warfare, 304 ; recounts his troubles, 305 ; deplores the raggedness of his troops, 306 ; refuses to make overtures to Sir Robert Napier, 307 ; goes oil' on a plundering expedition, 308 ; is anxious to hear of the British army, 309 ; Wiitches for its move- ments. 310 ; harangues his troops, 313; is determined to let matters take their course, 314 ; orders massacre of native prisoners, 315 ; refuses to receive Sir R. Napier's letter, 317 ; attacks British advanced guard, 318 ; requests Author to open communica- tions with Sir R. Napier, 319; his letter to Sir Robert, 320 ; his anger iit the result of the dejiutatiou to Bri- tish camp, 319; his letter of apology to Sir Robert, 325 ; sends present of cattle to British camp, 330 ; prcpan s to de- camp, //;. ; his ('hiefs and peo])le re- fuse to obey him, 331; prepares fur defence, 332 ; attacks our ciivalry, 333 ; retires to tlie gates with a few followers, 334 ; shoots himself, ib. ; summary of his character, 335 ; his wives and issue, 336; his burial, 343.
Ti'ibet, daughter of Rils 'Ali, marries Theodore, ii. 217.
Toleration, Abyssinian religious, i. 319.
360
l^v'DEX.
ToUs, ii. 16.
Tournament, native, ii. 123.
' Victoria,' transport steamer, i. 48, 53, eO, 64, 104.
W.
Wadala, ii. 148, 270.
Wahne, i. 188.
Waitos, near Lake Tana, i. 814.
Wai'zero Baritu, i. 218.
Wiiizero Denke, i. 213, 219, 222, 310.
Wai'zero Mi'nyen, mother of Ras 'Ali, i. 281.
Waka, i. 187.
Wak.sbum Gobaze, of Lasta, i. 35, 74. 81 ; proposes to attack Ma^dala, ii. 250 ; rctii-es from before Ma.i^dala, 251 ; bis friendliness to the British army, 252 ; designs to attack Theo- dore, 255 ; forwards copy of Sir Robert Napier's nltiraatum to Author. 2G5,
Wak.slium Tafare, cousin to Waksbum Gobaze, ii. 239, 203.
Wald-Gabir, Theodore's valet, i. 276; saw Theodore connnit suicide, ii. 327 ; denies that his master cursed on the occasion, 337.
Wald-Gabriel, interpreter, i. 187; deco- rated with Royal Shirt, ii. 13.
Wald-Maryam, lesser Cliief of escort, i. 196.
Wal(l-]\Iaryam, messenger, i. 43, 48, 65, 77, 104,
Waldmcier, Mr., bis testimony to first .success of Mission, ii. 43, 44 ; bis zealous co-operation, 206 : Theodore's testimony thereto, 292 ; escorts libe- rated Captives to British camp, 324 ; styled by Theodore his " best friend," 326 ; assists Author at Miigdala, 340.
Wald-ul-'Ammas. i. 156.
Wald-Salasse Gobaze. i. 69, 70, 231.
Waldt-lNIdryam, a native Joan of Arc, i. 218, 317.
Walkait, i. 35, ii. 74.
Wande, Aito, is presented with one of Theodore's dismissed wives, i. 220, 317 ; is arraigned by Theodore, ii. 105.
Wandige, district, i. 308.
Wanzi'ge, village, i, 216.
Warke', Yashalaka, a doorkeeper at Mag- dala, ii. 185.
Wasi, Bitwaddad, one of Magdala Coun- cil, ii. 177; heads a raid uj)on the Gallas, 297.
Wello - Gallas, Theodore's campaign against, i. 74.
Wiiby, Brigadier-General, ii. 339, 344.
Worohaimano, Gallas, raid upon, ii. 294-801.
Y.
Yadjow, Gallas, ii. 218 ; intended to sub- mit to Tluodore, 270. Yashalaka, a Captain of Lancers, ii. 191. Yasmala, i. 234, 808.
Zaga, i. 130.
Zage, capital of Me'tcha, ii. 1 ; reception of Mission at, 56 ; arrested at, 83 ; Theodore's cruelties at, 115 ; penin- sula of. its inhabitants and produce, 118-120.
Ziinuab, 'Alaka, keeper of the royal arcliivcs, ii. 192, 349.
Zanzalima. ii. 80.
Zand!, ii. 315.
Zoolla, visit to, i. 81 ; return to. ii. 349.
Zflgda, i. 236, 307.
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