SFOR T IN ABYSSINIA. $ 7 



were to travel, or be allowed to go to or from infected 

 districts : this is worthy the notice of our sanitary 

 commissioners at home. Kirkham had trotted on, to 

 make arrangements at his house for us. We left the 

 village of Asmarra, and on our left the ground fell ; as 

 we rode on we passed several pools. In the distance 

 flocks of fat-tailed sheep might be seen cropping the 

 short grass, they were of the breed spoken of before, 

 and celebrated throughout Abyssinia, One fat sheep 

 costs a Maria Theresa dollar ; * but two small ones 

 can be bought for the same money. 



We saw Kirkham's little house, with a roof like an 

 extinguisher, in front of us ; it was perched on a high 

 cliff that overlooked the plain, which was dotted 

 about with water-pools. Kirkham had told us they 

 were famous places for ducks, and sometimes snipe. 



We soon arrived at the house ; it was surrounded 

 by the usual hedge to be seen round all Abyssinian 

 houses ; this hedge is not growing, but made of thorn- 

 branches and stakes. The few houses which com- 

 posed the village of Beatmohar were close by. Kirk- 

 ham at once produced some honey-wine, called " tej " 

 in Abyssinia ; it was excellent, and proved very re- 

 freshing after our ride. " Tej " is made in the follow- 

 ing way : to one part of honey are added seven parts 

 of water, and well mixed ; then some leaves of a 



* Value about 4^. 2d. 



