86 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, we found that we 

 were seated in an apartment draped throughout in red 

 and blue, and decorated at intervals with gilt stars and 

 shields which displayed the tricolour of France. In the 

 centre of the straight wall, facing the semicircle in 

 which we sat, stood a gilt throne, raised on a kind 

 of platform and surmounted by a canopy flanked by 

 curtains. On either side, on the lower level of the 

 floor, a small chair was set. The whole effect — added to 

 the dim, religious light — was distinctly weird, and when, 

 after some little time, a door behind the draperies 

 opened, we felt almost disappointed at seeing, instead 

 of the expected magician, a dapper little Frenchman, 

 in white trousers, braided tunic, and military cloak, 

 enter the room. After we had each been formally 

 presented by the Consul, the Minister, M. Lagarde (for 

 it was he), seated himself on a chair just in front of us. 

 Formerly he used to receive visitors seated on the throne, 

 but, since sorne chaffing remarks on the subject were re- 

 peated to him, he reserves this more majestic form of 

 reception for natives, and descends to the same level when 

 he receives Europeans. The conversation was carried on 

 in French, in which language B. proved much the most 

 proficient of us. An apology for our rough riding- 

 clothes led to a discussion on the state of the roads 

 about the capital and the best way of making the 

 journey to the coast, when we learnt that M. Lagarde 

 travels in a mule -litter, in which he can lie at full 

 length, and sleep or read, as he feels inclined. Whilst 

 sipping a glass of sweet champagne, we next chatted 

 on sport, of which our host is very fond. He told us 



