70 SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 



the good of the church, at which he seemed pleased 

 and astonished. 



At Deevaroua I bought a large cured cowskin, to 

 make sandals for our servants when we got into the 

 jungle. This I would recommend travellers to do, as 

 the sharp grass and thorns are too much for even the 

 horny feet of the Abyssinians, and the cowskin 

 proved of great use afterwards. 



About mid-day I started alone with Brou, who was to 

 show me the way to Terramnee, and to get coolies there 

 to carry on our things to Koudoofellassie, when we 

 should be out of this province, which we have had so 

 much difficulty in getting through. I saw a ballaga* 

 coming towards me, the mule he was riding kicking 

 and plunging about as viciously as ever I saw any 

 animal do. I said to myself, " I must make the ac- 

 quaintance of this gentleman ;" so I rode up to him 

 and said, " How d'ye do T and asked him to let me 

 look at his spear. While I was looking at it I edged 

 away, then, giving my mule a good kick, galloped off 

 as hard as I could, spear and all. He was quite taken 

 aback at first, but soon began chasing me. We had 

 a nice little spurt, but, as bad luck would have it, one 

 of these watercourses was in front of me, and the way 



* Ballaga is the Amharic for a farmer, or one who cultivates land_ 

 The other three classes in Abyssinia are chiefs, soldiers or followers of 

 chiefs, and merchants. 



