SPOR T IN ABYSSINIA. 2 1 1 



gun obliged mc to load again, and after my first 

 shot the goose only flew a short way up the river and 

 dropped, when I bagged her too. These were two 

 lucky shots, as they provided me with fresh meat, of 

 which I stood in great need. Not long before I ar- 

 rived at the village of Zadawalka I saw five enormous 

 hornbills feeding in a field close to the path. They 

 are called in Abyssinia Aba Gouma. They were an 

 unusual sight stalking about in different directions, 

 and picking up what insects and beetles they could 

 find. 



When I got to Zadawalka I rode up at once to the 

 Shum's house. I went in and introduced myself, and 

 said I wanted bread and lodging for our party that 

 night. By way of putting ourselves on a pleasant 

 footing with our new hosts, my followers, who I am 

 sorry to say had now become rather a rough set, 

 seeing a jar of beer standing close by, immediately 

 seized it, handed it round, and the thirsty souls 

 swalloAved the beverage almost before the rightful 

 owner had time to look about. The people of the 

 house assured me I could not stop there that night, 

 but said they would provide me with a house a 

 little way off. I made them swear by the king's 

 death, Johannesee Mut, which is the form of oath 

 in Abyssinia, that they would do what they pro- 

 mised. The donkeys and tent did not appear, so I 



