CHAP. IX NATIVE LOOMS 



Starting from the British Agency, we cross the stream 

 that runs past the side of the compound, and, leaving 

 the Russian Embassy, and a Httle further on the hospital, 

 on our right, we descend by a rough and slippery path 

 to the bed of another shallow stream, and ascend again 

 by an even worse track on the further side. We next 

 approach a stretch of rough grass-land, with little huts 

 and enclosures scattered over it, many of which are 



Camp on way to Capital. 



inhabited by men whose chief occupation is weaving. 

 The looms are extremely primitive, consisting of stakes 

 driven into the ground. On these they weave the loose 

 soft Abyssinian cotton into shammas. 



Proceeding on our way, past the group of weavers, 

 we come to tlie telephone office. This is a large circular 

 tucul, the roof supported inside by a ring of posts, on 

 which are hung the rifles and shields of the guard. 

 Here we are lucky enough to find M. Miihle, the Swiss 

 engineer in charge of the line. A curious spectacle is 



afforded by the mixture of science and barbarism that 



c; 



