"Now, by the power of God! for the sake of the Queen, and the British

people, and yourselves, I cannot continue my dislike against them. I wish

you to make between us a reconciliation from the heart. If I am in fault, do

you tell me and I will requite them; but if you find that I am wronged, I

wish you to get them to requite me."

After the charges had been read, the captives were asked if they had done

wrong or not. It would have been absurd for them not to have

acknowledged their faults, and begged for pardon. We knew that they were

innocent, injured men, and that any errors of judgment they might have

committed were so trivial compared to the sufferings they had undergone,

that they could, under any other circumstances, have applied for the requital

he offered them. In acknowledging that they were wrong they acted wisely:

it was what we counselled, nay ordered.

The sitting concluded with the public reading of the Amharic translation of

the Queen's letter, and of the reply which Theodore said he would send by

us.

Though all seemed smooth and favourable, no doubt a storm was imminent;

and shortly afterwards, though everything was as yet friendly, we should

have been far less confident had our knowledge of Theodore been greater.

On our way to Kourata we had been asked indirectly by his servants

whether we knew anything about boat-making? We replied in the negative.

As I have stated, some of the escort had told Captain Cameron, that at

Kourata he would be employed in ship-building. There was no doubt that

his Majesty had made up his mind to have a small navy, and I believe that

the real reason we were sent to Kourata, and the Gaffat people to keep us

company there, was that Theodore imagined that we knew more about

making boats than we wished to say, and hoped to coax us into undertaking

the work. The Gaffat people, were told to make boats; they replied that they

knew nothing about it, but would work with any one who could direct them:

at the same time they intimated that his Majesty ought to take advantage of

Mr. Rassam's friendship to ask him to write for some proper person and

instruments; that they had no doubt that on Mr. Rassam making the

application, his Majesty would obtain anything he required.

A few days later Theodore wrote to Mr. Rassam requesting him to write for

workmen, and to await their return. Until that date all had been plain

sailing. I acknowledged that the letter was rather a "damper" on Mr.

Rassam. Two courses were left open to him: to decline, in courteous terms,

on the ground that his instructions did not warrant his making such a

request; or accept, on condition that the former captives should be allowed

to depart, himself remaining with one of his companions until the workmen

arrived. Instead of that Mr. Rassam took a half-way course; he told

Theodore that it would be better for him if he was allowed to depart, as at

home he could better represent the desires of his Majesty, but if the

Emperor insisted upon it he would write.

Theodore was so far confirmed in the impression conveyed to him by his

workmen that through the intervention of Mr. Rassam he could obtain

anything he liked, that the only thing which for a few days longer remained

undecided by him was—should he endeavour to gain his object by flatteries

or by bullying? He at once went to work, and did the best to succeed by

amicable measures. For this purpose he sent us a polite invitation to come

and spend a day with him at Zagé, ordering at the same time his workmen

to accompany him. On the 25th of March we proceeded by native boats and

reached Zagé after a four-hours' shower-bath; at a short distance from the

landing-place we dressed ourselves in uniform, and were met on our arrival

by Ras Engeddah (Commander-in-Chief), the Master of the Horse, and

several other high officials of the Imperial household. His Majesty had sent

us by the Ras polite greetings, and mounting the beautiful mules sent from

the royal stable, we proceeded to the Emperor's inclosure. We were at first

conducted to some silk tents, which had been pitched at a short distance

from his banqueting-hall, so that we might rest awhile and partake of the

collation his Queen had forwarded to us. In the afternoon the Emperor sent

us word that he would come and see us.

We shortly afterwards went out to meet him, and to our astonishment saw

him coming towards us, his cloth folded and the right arm uncovered: a sign

of inferiority, of high respect—an honour Theodore was never known to

have paid to any man. He was all smiles, all amiability, sat down a few

minutes on Mr. Rassam's couch, and when he left he shook hands in the

most friendly manner with him. A little later we returned his call. We found

him in the audience-hall, seated on a carpet; he gracefully saluted us, and

made us sit down by his side. To his left stood his eldest son Prince

Meshisha, and Ras Engeddah; his workmen were also present standing in

the centre of the hall in front of him. He had before him quite an arsenal of

guns and pistols; he spoke about and showed those we had brought with us,

guns that had been made to order by the brother of a gunmaker in his

service, a manufacturer at St. Etienne, near Lyons. He conversed on various

topics, about the different ranks in his army, presented us to his son, and

ordered him at the conclusion of the audience, together with the Gaffat

people, to escort us back to our tent.

The following day Theodore sent repeated kind messages; but we did not

see him. In the morning he called, all his chiefs together, and asked them to

advise him as to whether he should allow the Europeans to depart or not.

All exclaimed, "Let them go;" one only remarking that if once out, and they

wanted to fight, "let them come, we will then have God on our side." As

soon as he had dismissed his chiefs, he called the Gaffat people and asked

them also what he should do. They told us that they had strongly advised

him to let us depart. It was reported that on returning to his house; his valet

said to him, "Every one tells you to let them go; you know that they are

your enemies, and what will you have in your hands?" In the evening his

Majesty was rather excited: he sent for the Gaffat people, and taking hold of

the rude pillar of his hut, said: "Is that the dwelling fit for a king?" What

conversation passed between them at the time, I cannot say; but a few days

afterwards one of them told me that his Majesty was much put out, as Mr.

Rassam had not mentioned to him the objects he had so dear at heart, viz.:

the artisans and instruments, and that on our applying to be allowed to

return to Kourata, his Majesty looked very black at first, and refused, and

that they had had great fears that he might have forcibly detained us.

On our return to Kourata the correspondence between Theodore and Mr.

Rassam began afresh. The letters, as a rule, contained nothing of

importance, but the messages brought backwards and forwards were highly

special, and had significant reference to the former captives, with whom

Theodore was bent on having a reconciliation before their departure.

Apprehensive that Theodore might get into a passion at the sight of them,

Mr. Rassam endeavoured: by all means to avoid a meeting he so much

dreaded; and, at last, his Majesty seemed to have been convinced by his

friend's reasonings, and to all appearance gave in to him. Some of the

former captives were naturally anxious, and would have much preferred the

risk of having to bear a few harsh words rather than excite Theodore's

suspicions. It was too late. He had already made up his mind to detain us

forcibly, and at the time he pretended to agree not to see the former

captives, he was all the while, building a fence for their reception.

Mr. Rassam, to divert the Emperor's mind, proposed to him to institute an

order to be called the "Cross of Christ and Solomon's Seal;" the rules and

regulations were drawn out, one of the workmen made a model of the

badges according to Mr. Rassam's direction, his Majesty approved of them,

and nine were ordered—three of the first, three of the second, three of the

third orders. Mr. Rassam, together with Ras Engeddah and Prince

Meshisha, were to be made knights of the first order; the English officers of

the mission were to be second class; as for the third, I do not know for

whom they were destined, unless for such as Bappo, his butler.

Quite unaware of all that was going on behind the scenes, we fancied that

we had nothing more to fear, and that all obstacles had been cleverly

removed; we were building castles in the air—seeing in imagination dear

friendly faces once more, and, thinking we were homeward bound, we

laughed at the scorching heat of the Soudan's hottest months: when

suddenly all our plans, hopes, and expectations were cruelly crushed.

CHAPTER IX.

Second visit to Zagé—Arrest of Mr. Rassam and the English

Officers—Charges brought against Mr. Rassam—The former Captives

are brought in Chains to Zagé—Public Trial—Reconciliation—Mr.

Flad's Departure—The Imprisonment at Zagé—Departure for Kourata.

On the 13th of April we made our third experiment of the bulrush boats, as

the Emperor desired once more to see his dear friends before they left. The

European workmen of Gaffat accompanied us. All the Magdala and Gaffat

prisoners started the same day, but by another route; the whole party was to

rendezvous at Tankal, near the north-west extremity of the lake, where the

luggage was also to be conveyed by boats.

On our arrival at Zagé, we were received with the usual marks of respect.

Ras Engeddah and several high officers came to meet us on the beach, and

richly harnessed mules were provided for us from the royal stables. We

dismounted at the entrance of his Majesty's inclosure, and were conducted

at once to the large audience-hall, erected quite close to the Emperor's

private fence. On entering, we were surprised to see the large hall lined on

both sides by Abyssinian officers in their gala dress. The throne had been

placed at the extremity of the hall, but was empty, and the large circular

space around it was filled with the highest officers of the realm. We had

only advanced a few stages, preceded by Ras Engeddah, when he bowed

and kissed the ground, we thought out of respect for the throne; but it was

the signal for an act of base treachery. No sooner had the Ras prostrated

himself, than nine men, posted for the purpose, rushed upon each of us, and

in less time than I can express it our swords, belts, and caps were cast to the

ground, our uniforms torn, and the officers of the English mission, seized

by the arm and neck, were dragged, to the upper part of the hall, degraded

and reviled before the whole of Theodore's courtiers and grandees!

We were allowed to sit down, our captors sitting next to us. The Emperor

did not appear, but questions were brought to us by the Ras Engeddah,

Cantiba Hailo (the Emperor's adopted father), Samuel, and the European

workmen. Some of the questions asked by his Majesty were, to say the

least, childish: "Where are the prisoners? Why have you not brought them

to me? You had no right to send them without my permission. I wished you

to reconcile me with them. I intended also to give to those who had no mule

a mule, and to those who had no money some money for the road. Why

have you given them fire-arms? Did you not come with a friendly letter

from the Queen of England? Why have you sent letters to the coast?" and

such like rubbish.

Many of the highest officers several times expressed openly their approval

of our answers—a rare proceeding in an Abyssinian Court. They evidently

did not like, nor could they justify, the treacherous conduct of their master.

Between the questions, a paper was partially read, referring to his Majesty's

pedigree. As it had nothing to do with, our alleged offences, I could not

understand its object, except that it was a certain weakness of this parvenu

to glory in his supposed ancestors. His Majesty's last message was: "I have

sent for your brethren, and when they arrive, I will see what I shall do."

The assembly having been dismissed, we waited a little while, whilst a tent

was pitched for us near the Emperor's inclosure. At the time we were

undergoing our trial, all the luggage we had brought with us was personally

examined by his Majesty. All arms, money, papers, knives, &c., were

confiscated; the remainder being sent to us after we had been escorted to the

tent; We had hardly entered our new abode, and had not yet recovered from

our surprise at the turn the Abyssinian imbroglio had just taken, when cows

and bread in abundance were sent to us by Theodore a strange contrast to

his recent dealings.

At about the same hour which witnessed this reverse in our fortunes, the

released captives were also destined to meet with a fearful disappointment.

Their fate was even worse than ours. After about two hours' ride they came

to a village, and were resting under the shade of a few trees, until their tents

should be pitched, when they were called for, and told to enter the house of

the chief of the village. As soon as they were all collected, a number of

soldiers entered, and the chief of the escort, showing them a letter, asked

them if it was his Majesty's seal. On their replying in the affirmative, they

were told to sit down. They were rather perplexed, but imagined that

perhaps his Majesty had sent them a letter to bid them farewell, and that

they were allowed to sit down as they were tired. However, their

conjectures were soon set at rest. On a signal given by the chief of the

escort, they were seized by the soldiers who lined the room. The letter from

Theodore was then read to them. It was addressed to the chief of the escort,

and ran thus:—"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to

Bitwaddad Tadla. By the power of God, we, Theodore, the king of kings,

are well. We are angry with our friends, and with the Europeans, who say,

'We are going to our country,' and we are not yet reconciled. Until we

consult as to what we shall do, seize them; but do not make them

uncomfortable or afraid, and do not hurt them."

In the evening they were chained two by two, their servants were watched,

and but two allowed to each individual to prepare his food; the following

morning they were taken to Kourata. There they heard of our arrest, and

even reports to the effect that we had been killed. The wives of the Gaffat

people treated them very kindly: they themselves were in great anguish, as

they were quite ignorant of the fate of their relatives. On the morning of the

15th they were taken over by boat to Zagé. On their arrival they were

received by guards, who conducted them to a fenced space; mules had been

brought for Captain Cameron, Mrs. Rosenthal, and Mrs. Flad, and shortly

afterwards the Emperor sent them cows, sheep, bread, &c., in abundance.

The three days we spent in the small tent at Zagé were days of great anxiety.

We had until then seen but the good side, the amiable mood of our host, and

we were not as yet accustomed to his sudden bursts of temper, to his

violence and treachery. As soon as our luggage was returned, we destroyed

every letter, paper, note, diary, in our possession, and repeatedly questioned

Samuel as to our future prospects. On the morning of the second day

Theodore sent us his compliments, and told us that as soon as the captives

arrived, everything would be all right. We sent him some shirts that had

been made for him during our stay at Kourata; he received them, but

declined the soap that accompanied them, as, he said, we should require it

for the road. In the afternoon we watched him through the links of the tent,

whilst he was sitting for hours on a raised platform in front of his inclosure.

He appeared calm, and remained, for a long time, in conversation with his

favourite, Ras Engeddah, who stood below.

We were guarded night and day, and could not move a few steps outside the

tent without being followed by a soldier; at night, if we had to go out, we

were told to carry a lantern with us. Our guards were all old confidential

chiefs of the Emperor, men of rank and position, who executed their orders,

but did not abuse their position to make us feel still more our disgrace. On

the evening of the 15th a small farce was played that amused me at the

time. I was going out a short distance, a servant carrying a lantern before

me. We had only advanced a few steps when a soldier roughly seized my

servant; immediately the officer on guard ran up towards us, and pretending

to be very indignant at the soldier's conduct, told him to let my servant go,

and lifting up his stick, gave him a few strokes on the back, exclaiming,

"Why do you stop him? These are not prisoners; they are the friends of the

King." On turning round; I saw the chief and the soldier having a good

laugh together. The following morning the reconciliation was to take place.

Theodore desired to impress us with the idea that we might be still his

friends, and that we had better give in to him with good grace, as the arrest

of the 13th would prove to us that he could also treat us as enemies. His

plan was not a bad one; at all events it succeeded.

On the 17th we received a message from his Majesty, telling us to go to

him, as he desired to try before us the Europeans who had, he said, formerly

insulted him. Theodore knows well how to make a display; and on this

occasion he did his utmost to impress all, Europeans as well as natives, with

an idea of his power and greatness. He was seated on an alga in the open

air, in front of the audience-hall. All the great officers of state were

stationed on his left hand in front; on his right were the Europeans, and

around these more important individuals, the petty chiefs and soldiers

formed an almost complete circle.

As soon as we approached, his Majesty rose and saluted us; received us, in

short, as though we were still his honoured guests, and not the heralds from

a great Power he had recently so grossly insulted. We were told to sit down.

A few minutes of silence followed, and we saw advancing from the outer

gate our countrymen guarded as criminals, and chained two by two. They

were arranged in a line in front of his Majesty, who, after observing them

for a few seconds, "kindly" inquired after their health, and how they had

spent their time. The captives acknowledged these compliments by

repeatedly kissing the ground before that incarnation of the Evil One, who

all the time grinned in delight at the sight of the misery and humiliation of

his victims. Captain Cameron's and Mr. Bardel's fetters were then opened,

and they were told to come and sit down near us. All the other captives

remained standing in the sun, and had to answer to the Emperor's questions.

He was collected, and calm; only once, when addressing us, did he appear

in any way excited.

He asked them, "Why did you wish to leave my country before you took

leave of me?" They answered that they had only acted according to Mr.

Rassam's orders, to whom they had been made over. He then said, "Why did

you not ask Mr. Rassam to bring you to me, and be reconciled before you

left?" and turning towards Mr. Rassam, said, "It is your fault. I told you to

reconcile me with them; why did you not do so?" Mr. Rassam replied: that

he had believed the written reconciliation that followed the trial of the

charges he had sent against them to be sufficient. The Emperor then said to

Mr. Rassam, "Bid I not tell you I wanted to give them mules and money,

and you answered me that you had bought mules for them, and that you had

money enough to take them to their country? Now, on your account, you

see them in chains. From the day you told me that you desired to send them

by another road I became suspicious, and imagined that you did so in order

that you might say in your country that they were released through your

cunning and power."

The former captives' supposed crimes are well known, and its the remainder

of the trial was only a repetition of the one of Gondar, it would be a mere

waste of time to speak of it here; suffice it to say that these unfortunate and

injured men answered with all humility and meekness, and endeavoured by

so doing to avert the wrath of the wretch in whose power they were.

The Emperor's pedigree was then read: from Adam to David all went on

smoothly enough; from Solomon's supposed son Menilek to Socinius few

names were given—perhaps they were patriarchs in their own way; but

when it came to Theodore's father and mother the difficulty increased,

indeed it became serious; many witnesses were brought forward to testify to

their royal descent, and even the opinion of the puppet-Emperor Johannes

was recorded in favour of Theodore's legal right to the throne of his

ancestors.

We were then called forward, and the scene of the 18th enacted over, again.

After we had been told to sit down, Theodore called his workmen before

him, and asked them if he ought to get "kassa?" (meaning a reparation for

what he had suffered at the hands of the Europeans). Some did not audibly

reply; whilst others loudly proclaimed that "kassa was good." In conclusion,

his Majesty said, addressing himself to us "Do you want to be my masters?

You will remain with me; and wherever I go, you will go; wherever I stay,

you will stay." On that we were dismissed to our tents, and Captain

Cameron was allowed to accompany us. The other Europeans, still in

chains, were sent to another part of the camp, where several weeks before a

fence had been erected, no one knew why.

The following day we were again called before Theodore, but this time it

was quite a private affair. The prisoners were first conducted to our tent,

and released from their fetters. We were then called into his presence; the

former captives followed us, and the Gaffat people shortly afterwards

entered, and were told to sit at the Emperor's right. As soon as the released

prisoners entered; they bowed their heads to the ground and begged for

pardon. His Majesty told them to rise, and after informing them that they

had never done anything wrong, and that they were his friends, bowed his

head to the ground, and in his turn begged for pardon. He remained in that

attitude until they had repeatedly told him, "For God's sake, we forgive

you!" Captain Cameron then read aloud Dr. Beke's letter and the petition of

the prisoners' relatives. The reconciliation effected, the Emperor dictated a

letter for our Queen, and Mr. Flad was selected to convey it. We then all had

our tents pitched in a large enclosure, fenced that very morning under his

Majesty's supervision. We were once more all united; but this time all

prisoners. Mr. Flad left; we expected that his mission would be

unsuccessful, and that England, disgusted with so much treachery, would

not condescend to treat further, but enforce her demands. The day Mr. Flad

left, his wife accompanied the workmen, who were ordered back to

Kourata; with them we had much less intercourse than before, as they were

at all times timid, and very careful not to have many dealings with doubtful

friends of the King.

Zagé was one of the principal towns of the formerly prosperous and

populous district of Metsha, but when we came we saw nought but ruins;

and had we not been told that the guicho and coffee-covered hill was only a

few weeks before the abode of thousands, we could not have credited it; nor

that the small circular patches, now green with grass and weeds, had been

the homes of a thriving and industrious population.

A few days after the reconciliation—the very morning Flad left for England

—his Majesty returned us our arms, and a portion of our money; he also

presented us at the same time with silver-mounted shields, spears, and

mules, and a few days later with horses. We saw him on several occasions:

twice he came to see us in our tents; one day we went with him to assist at

the trial of some guns made by his European workmen; once duck-shooting

with him on the lake; another time to see him play the national game of

goucks. He endeavoured to appear friendly, supplied us with abundant

rations, and twice a day sent his compliments; he even fired a salute and

gave a feast on our Queen's birthday. Nevertheless, we felt unhappy: our

cage was gilt, but still a cage; and the experience we had had of the King's

treachery made us constantly fear a recurrence of it. When we met him in

Damot, and when we visited him before at Zagé, we had only seen the actor

in his smiling mood; now all restraint was thrown off: women were flogged

to death close to our tents, and soldiers laden with chains or beaten to death

on the most trivial pretexts. The true character of the tyrant became daily

more apparent, and we felt that our position was most dangerous and

critical.

Theodore was still bent on building boats; seeing that everybody seemed

reluctant to help him he went to work himself; he made an immense flatbottomed bulrush boat of great thickness, and to propel it made two large

wheels worked by hand: in fact he had invented a paddle steamer, only the

locomotive agent was deficient. We saw it several times on the water; the

wheels were rather high up and it required at least a hundred men on it to

make them dip sufficiently. Strange to say he spent his time in that frivolous

way and never took notice of a large rebel force not four miles from his

camp.

Cholera had been making havoc in Tigré; we were not surprised, therefore,

to hear that it had spread over other provinces, and that several cases had

already broken out at Kourata. The King's camp was pitched in a very

unhealthy situation, on a low, swampy ground; fevers, diarrhoea, and

dysentery had prevailed to a great extent. Informed of the approach of

cholera, his Majesty wisely decided upon moving his camp to the highlands

of Begemder. Mrs. Rosenthal was at the time very unwell, and could not

stand the journey by land; she was therefore allowed to proceed by water to

Kourata, accompanied by her husband, myself, and Captain Cameron, also

in delicate health. We started on the evening of the 31st of May, and

reached Kourata early the next morning. A gale of wind was blowing at the

time, and we had to make frequent stoppages on the lee of the land, as the

heavy sea frequently threatened to swamp our frail boats. Without

exaggeration, this last passage was in all respects the ne plus ultra of

discomfort.

CHAPTER X.

Second Residence in Kourata—Cholera and Typhus break out in the Camp

—The Emperor resolves to march to Debra Tabor—Arrival at Gaffat—The

Foundry transformed into a Palace—Political Trial at Debra Tabor—The

Black Tent—Dr. Blanc and Mr. Rosenthal seized at Gaffat—Another Public

Trial—The Black Hole—March with the Emperor to Aibankab—Sent to

Magdala, and Arrival at the Amba.

At Kourata a few empty houses were put at our disposal, and we went to

work to make these dirty native dwellings inhabitable. It was rumoured that

Theodore intended to spend the rainy season in the neighbourhood, and on

the 4th he made a sudden visit; he was only accompanied by a few of his

chiefs. He came and returned by water. Ras Engeddah arrived about an hour

before him. I was advised to go and meet him on the beach; I therefore

accompanied the Gaffat people, who also went to present him their respects.

His Majesty, on seeing me, asked me how I was, if I liked the place, &c. No

one ever knew why he came. I believe, to judge for himself if the cholera

was raging there at the time or not, as he made many inquiries on the

subject.

On the 6th of June Theodore left Zagé with his army; Mr. Rassam and the

other prisoners accompanied him; all the heavy baggage had been sent by

boat to Kourata. On the 9th, his Majesty encamped on a low promontory

south of Kourata. Cholera had by this time broken out in the camp, and

hundreds were dying daily. In the hope of improving the sanitary condition

of the army, the Emperor moved his camp to some high ground a mile or so

north of the town; but the epidemic continued to rage with great virulence

both in the camp and in the town. The church was so completely choked up

with dead bodies that no more could be admitted, and the adjoining streets

offered the sad sight of countless corpses, surrounded by the sorrowful

relatives, awaiting for days and nights the hallowed grave in the now

crowded cemetery. Small-pox and typhus fever also made their appearance,

and claimed the victims cholera had spared.

On the 12th June we received orders to join the camp, as Theodore intended

to leave on the following day for the higher and more healthy province of

Begemder. On the 13th, at early morning, the camp was struck, and we

encamped in the evening on the banks of the Gumaré, a tributary of the

Nile. The next day the march was resumed. We had been more or less

ascending since our departure from Kourata, and Outoo (a beautiful plateau,

our halting-place of the 14th) must have been several thousand feet higher

than the lake; nevertheless, cholera, small-pox, and typhus fever continued

unabated. His Majesty inquired what was usually done in our country under

similar circumstances. We advised him to proceed at once to the higher

plateau of Begemder, to leave his sick at some distance from Debra Tabor,

to break up as far as possible his army, and distribute it over the whole

province, selecting a few healthy and isolated localities where every fresh

case that broke out should be sent. He acted upon this advice, and before

long had the satisfaction of seeing the several epidemics lose their

virulence, and, before many weeks, disappear entirely.

On the 16th we made a very long march. We started at about 6 A.M. and

never halted once until we arrived at Debra Tabor at about 2 P.M. As soon

as we reached the foot of the hill on which the Imperial houses arise, we

received a message from his Majesty telling us not to dismount, and shortly

afterwards he rode towards us, accompanied by a few of his bodyguard. We

all started for Gaffat, the European station, about three miles east of Debra

Tabor. En route we were overtaken by the most severe hailstorm I have ever

seen or experienced; such was its violence, that Theodore was several times

obliged to halt. The hail poured down in such thick masses, and the stones

were of such an enormous size, that it was indeed quite painful to bear. At

last we reached Gaffat, frozen and drenched to the skin; but the Emperor,

seemingly quite unaffected by the recent shower, acted as our cicerone, and

took us about the place, explaining to us the foundry, workshops, waterwheels, &c. A few planks were transformed into seats, and a fire lighted by

his order, and we remained with him alone for more than three hours,

discussing the laws and customs of England. Some carpets and cushions

had been left behind at Debra Tabor, and he sent back Ras Engeddah to

have them conveyed. As soon as he returned with the bearers, Theodore led

the way up the hill to Gaffat, and with his own hands spread the carpets,

and placed the throne in the house selected for Mr. Rassam. Other houses

were distributed to the other Europeans, after which his Majesty left.

On the 17th June the European workmen, who had remained behind at

Kourata, arrived at Debra Tabor. We are not aware that they made any

objection to our occupying their houses, but the Emperor perceived by their

demeanour that they were not pleased; he therefore accompanied them to

Gaffat, and in a few hours had the foundry, by means of shamas, gabis, and

carpets, transformed into a very decent abode. The throne was also

conveyed there, and when all was ready we were called. His Majesty, after

apologizing for the accommodation he was obliged to give us for a few

days, returned to Debra Tabor, promising that the next day he would see for

a more suitable dwelling for his guests. Accordingly, the following morning

he arrived, and had several native houses on a small hill opposite Gaffat

cleared out for our reception. As Mr. Rassam's house was rather small, that

gentleman took advantage of the circumstance to request that the Emperor

would withdraw the honour of placing the throne in his room. His Majesty

acquiesced, but had the place well carpeted, and the walls and ceiling lined

with white cloth. After all these daily changes we thought that we were

settled for the rainy season. Cholera and typhus fever had made their

appearance at Gaffat, and from morning to night I was in constant

attendance on the sick. One of my patients, the wife of one of the

Europeans, greatly occupied my time: she had first been attacked with

cholera, and was afterwards laid for many days at death's door with typhus

fever.

On the morning of the 25th of June we received a message from the

Emperor, to the effect that Mr. Rassam, his companions, the priests, and any

one he would like to take with him, should repair to Debra Tabor, to be

present at a political trial. The European workmen, Cantiba, Hailo, and

Samuel accompanied us. Arrived at Debra Tabor, we were surprised at not

being received with the usual salutations, and instead of being at once

conducted to the presence of Theodore, we were ushered into a black tent

pitched in the King's inclosure. We surmised that the political trial

concerned ourselves. We had been seated but a few minutes, when the

European workmen were sent for by his Majesty. After a while they

returned, with Cantiba Hailo, Samuel, and an Afa Negus (mouth of the

King), who delivered the Imperial messages.

The first and most important was, "I have received a letter from Jerusalem,

in which I am told that the Turks are making railways in the Soudan, to

attack my country conjointly with the English and French." The second

message was much to the same effect, only adding that as Mr. Rassam must

have seen the railway in construction, he ought to have informed his

Majesty of it. The third question was, "Is it not true that the Egyptian

railway was built by the English?" Fourthly, "Did he not give a letter to

Consul Cameron for him to deliver to the Queen of England, and did not the

Consul return without an answer? Did not Mr. Rosenthal say that the

English Government had laughed at his letter?" Altogether; there were

some seven or eight questions, but the others were insignificant, and I do

not remember them. A few days before a Greek priest had arrived from the

coast with a letter for his Majesty: Whether these statements were contained

in the missive; or were merely a pretext invented by Theodore himself, to

give a reason for the ill treatment he intended to inflict upon his innocent

guests, it is impossible to say. The concluding message was, "You must

remain here; your arms his Majesty no longer trusts in your hands, but your

property will be sent to you."

Mr. Rosenthal obtained permission to return to Gaffat to see his wife, and I

was granted leave to accompany Samuel, as Mrs. Waldmeier was that day

in a very critical state. Mr. Rassam and the other Europeans remained in the

tent. Mr. Waldmeier, on account of his wife's serious illness, had remained

at Gaffat, and he was much startled and grieved when he heard of our new

misfortune; especially as it would deprive his wife of medical attendance at

a time her life was despaired of. He begged me to remain near her for an

hour, whilst he would gallop to Debra Tabor to entreat his Majesty to let me

remain with him until his wife should be out of danger. Mrs. Waldmeier is a

daughter of the late Mr. Bell, who was held in great esteem and affection by

the Emperor. Not only did Theodore at once grant Waldmeier's request, but

added, that if Mr. Rassam had no objection, he would allow me to remain at

Gaffat, as sickness was prevailing there, during the expedition he intended

to make. As I was much reduced by chronic diarrhoea and overexertion, I

was much pleased at the prospect of remaining at Gaffat, instead of

campaigning during the rains. Mr. Rassam himself on the following day

requested his Majesty to allow me and some of our companions to remain

for the rainy season at Gaffat. In my case and in Mr. Rosenthal's,

permission was granted, but was refused to all the others.

Every day we heard that orders had been issued for the camp to be struck,

but his Majesty did not leave. He daily inquired after Mrs. Waldmeier, and

sent me his compliments. He visited Gaffat twice during the few days I was

there, and on each occasion sent for me and received me courteously. Mr.

Rassam and the other Europeans were allowed to come to Gaffat and spend

the day with us; and although now and then the word "Magdala" was

whispered, still it seemed as if the storm had blown over, and we hoped

before long to be all again united at Gaffat, and there in peace spend the

rainy season. On the 3rd of July an officer brought me the Imperial

compliments, and stated that his Majesty was coming to inspect the works,

and that I might present myself before him. I went at once to the foundry,

and on the road I met two of the Gaffat workmen also proceeding there. A

little incident then occurred, which was followed by serious consequences.

We met the Emperor near the foundry, riding ahead of his escort; he asked

us how we were, and we all lowed and took off our hats. As he passed,

along, the two Europeans with whom I walked, covered themselves; but

aware how touchy his Majesty, was on all points of etiquette, I kept my

head uncovered, though the sun was hot and fierce. Arrived at the foundry,

the Emperor again greeted me cordially; examined for a few minutes the

drawing of a gun his workmen proposed to cast for him, and then left, all of

us following. In the courtyard he passed close to Mr. Rosenthal, who did

not bow, as Theodore took no notice of him.

As the Emperor issued from the foundry fence a poor old beggar asked for

alms, saying, "My lords (gaitotsh) the Europeans have always been kind to

me. Oh! my king, do you also relieve my distress!" On hearing the

expression "lord" applied to his workmen, he got into a fearful passion.

"How dare you call any one 'lord' but myself. Beat him, beat him, by my

death!" Two of the executioners at once rushed upon the beggar, and began

beating him with their long sticks, Theodore all the while exclaiming, "Beat

him, beat him, by my death!" The poor old cripple, at first in heartrending

terms, implored for mercy; but his voice grew fainter and fainter, and in a

few minutes more there lay his corpse, that none dare remove or pray for.

The laughing hyenas that night caroused undisturbed on his abandoned

remains.