SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 6i 



the chief of this province : he lives at a town called 

 Tzazega, about half a day's journey from Bcatmohar. 



yaii. 15. — In the morning no coolies appeared: 

 one of the *' chickers," or tax collectors, or head-men 

 of the village, was very insolent ; he brought three 

 coolies, and asked an exorbitant price. I said I 

 would not give it ; he then walked away laughing, 

 followed by the coolies, saying, " Well, you won't get 

 them at all now." I thought to myself, " My friend, 

 you shall pay for this." I then politely asked him to 

 walk into our enclosure, shut the door, and made a 

 prisoner of him ; put a guard over him, and told him 

 he should wait. 



Kirkham's and the Galla boys were delighted ; they 

 thought, the young rascals, there was a chance of a 

 fight. We waited till the afternoon, when, coming 

 across the plain, we saw the chief, followed by a large 

 retinue, some on mules, some with shields, spears, 

 and guns, holding little plaited straw umbrellas over 

 their heads. I made arrangement that only the chief 

 himself and a few of his followers should be allowed 

 inside our little enclosure. When he arrived I met 

 him at the door, and escorted him inside the house. 

 We then told him all that had happened, and had the 

 prisoner brought in. The chief questioned him, and 

 then ordered him outside to be thrashed ; but he was 

 not punished, as he implored to be let off, and said he 



