112 SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 



the coolies understood very well the state of affairs. 

 The natives at feasts in this country not only eat as 

 much as they can, but also contrive to take away 

 with them what they cannot manage to cram down 

 their throats ; so here was a prospect of a good meal 

 for our coolies. A rush was made at a batch of 

 small boys and men who were returning, their clothes 

 were almost torn off their backs, and the bread and 

 "tef" which they had concealed about their persons 

 were seized and devoured by our hungry men. This 

 was the first batch of visitors, and our men were in 

 anticipation of more coming. At last some more 

 appeared, this time bearing a large earthenware jar, 

 which was thought to contain beer, but, alas ! it 

 was empty. There were other natives that our 

 men thought had some bread with them, and they 

 accordingly hustled them, but found none. During 

 the struggle, a coolie was pushed backwards into 

 the muddy pool, and was rather astonished to find 

 himself seated in the water, much to the amuse- 

 ment of ourselves and all the servants but himself: 

 he sneaked back and sat down by the fire to dry 

 the few rags he had on him as best he could. Three 

 or four more villagers came by, among them two 

 young Abyssinians, who said, " You have been robbing 

 our people — you will see what we will do to you 

 to-morrow !" I think they were a little the worse 



