SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 223 



able ; so, about one o'clock in the morning, I made my 

 servants get up and pitch my tent, and there I went 

 to bed, and slept well the rest of the night. 



March 20. — This morning Boruni Bras, got me a 

 messenger, and I sent down letters to the French 

 Consul, as well as to the Governor of Massowah, 

 telling the latter that I was ill, very likely to be a day 

 or two late for the steamer, and begging of him to 

 keep the boat waiting for me, if possible. Whilst I 

 was taking my breakfast, and whilst Borum Bras, was 

 talking to me and inquiring after my general health, 

 there was suddenly a shout, the chief started up and 

 rushed off to his house close by. All the people of the 

 town ran to their houses and armed themselves, and 

 the women stood on the tops of the houses screeching 

 their peculiar cry to call out the men. The cause of the 

 commotion was that a robber, who lived near this dis- 

 trict, had attacked an outlying village, and had carried 

 off some cows and killed a man. All the inhabitants 

 turned out and formed themselves in battle array in 

 two lines outside the town. The mode in which Abys- 

 sinians go to fight is rather a curious one : the men 

 that are lucky enough to possess guns are placed in 

 the front rank in one long line, and behind them are 

 those that have only spears and shields — this line 

 is generally three or four deep. I caused my mule to 

 be saddled, took my gun, and rode out to see if there 



