1 6 SFOR T IN ABYSSINIA. 



said I would not move without my luggage. He then 

 ordered all the donkeys that are used to carry the 

 water into Massowah from the conduit just outside the 

 town to be brought. They were a mixed lot ; some 

 were blind and some were lame, but our luggage was 

 carried into Moncullu some way or other. The great 

 thing was that we made a move in the right direction. 



It was quite a sight to see this troop of animals, 

 consisting of camels, donkeys, and mules — the servants 

 pushing along the narrow causeway — one donkey lag- 

 ging behind, and another trying to push by — kettles 

 tumbling off and straps coming undone. C'est le 

 premier pas qui coute. I am certain that it cost the 

 poor donkeys a great deal of pain, as they were 

 frequently belaboured with sticks and were loudly 

 cursed in Massowah Arabic. 



Arrekel Bey took us to see the wells made in the 

 rock in Moncullu, where the most deliciously cool 

 water is pumped up. The convicts looked fine, strong, 

 muscular fellows, but gentlemen that one would not 

 like to meet alone on a dark night. They had just 

 left off work, it being sunset, six o'clock. 



We then adjourned to dinner, which was laid out in 

 a large oblong hut made of grass. This is the way 

 that houses are made in Moncullu, as a free current of 

 air passes through the whole structure, and any other 

 material would be too hot. 



