222 SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 



message, and I was not in the least expected. But it 

 seemed that I was no unwelcome guest, for directly 

 one of the servants saw me he went in and told Borum 

 Bras. I had arrived. I was led in by the hand, and 

 was truly glad to see this Abyssinian chief, as he had 

 been very kind and hospitable to us on our way to 

 the Tackazzee, and I hoped he might help me to get 

 to the coast. After they had finished their dinner, he 

 sent away his household, and had a fire lighted for me 

 inside the hut. I was wet through, cold as well as 

 ill, and was very glad of the warmth. I told Borum 

 Bras, all that happened, how unlucky I had been, and 

 that now I was on my way home on account of illness. 

 He was exceedingly civil and kind, and asked what he 

 could prepare for me for my dinner. Out of beans 

 his wife made me a sort of cake, which was very good, 

 and he also gave me some "tej." My donkeys, with 

 the tent, etc., came up later, but I resolved to sleep in 

 the hut in which I was. I accordingly turned in, but 

 it was of no use trying to get any rest, as the hut in 

 which I reposed was, as a rule, not only used as a 

 dining-room but also as a stable, and the horses 

 munching their food during the night kept me awake. 

 Sundry small animals of the insect tribe seemed to 

 like the taste of the blood of a white man ; it might 

 have been a change for them ; it certainly was a 

 change for me, and, in my already weak state, unbear- 



