70 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
some of us, and we exterminated most of them, and what 
were left died of hunger.’ And men’s skulls lying in all 
directions showed there was some truth in what they said. 
The rain did not hold up long, and, cold and miserable, we 
ambled along on our mules till far away in the distance our 
guides pointed out to usa hill, on the top of which they 
told us lay the Shoan fort. The rain cleared away just 
before we got to the foot of the hill, leaving me without a 
dry rag on my body; at the same time Haji Idris, riding up 
alongside of me, said, ‘ Are we to give up our rifles if they 
ask for them?’ ‘No, I replied. “When we shall haveto 
fight,’ he answered, as he dropped behind again. One of 
the Shoans rode on ahead to announce our approach, and 
with doubtful feelings we ascended the steep slope, on the 
top of which stood the village, surrounded by a high wooden 
stockade. 
“ Before the door a crowd of men were assembled, and 
pouring through it herds of cattle. Trying to appear as 
dignified as circumstances would permit, I entered, and 
proceeded up a steep path till I reached the top. I was 
here requested to dismount, and, passing through another 
door, found an enclosure with a large circular tent in it, 
and a group of Shoans waiting for me, who bowed to the 
ground and made signs to me to enter; I did so, and was 
nearly suffocated by the smoke, having to throw myself 
down flat to be able to breathe. By doing so I discovered 
two Persian rugs for me, and, as soon as I couid see, 
found the tent was made of brown blankets, and in the 
centre of it a large fire burning. Wal-da-Gubbra sent me 
a tobe, and I was quickly stripped of my dripping gar- 
ments, and gathering warmth from the bright blaze with- 
out and from some darde (an Abyssinian drink) within. 
To my joy and surprise the Shoans were almost servile. 
They brought us a sheep, whose throat my men cut just 
