SNUBBING A BRAGGART 



poles were to be seat for the construction of the Resi- 

 dency stables. The keeper of the woodyard thought 

 this a fine opportunity for getting rid of an accumulation 

 of bad material ; but, unfortunately for him, the Emperor 

 met the coolies who were carrying away the stuff. In 

 a moment the royal eye detected the little game ; back 

 went the men, and the overseer had such a mauvais 

 quart dWieiire, while Menelik himself selected the best 

 beams in the yard, that he is never likely to forget it, 

 and has become exceedingly critical in consequence. 



Another story, which amused us much, relates how 

 Menelik effectually took the conceit out of a braggart. 

 A certain officer had obtained leave from the Emperor 

 to shoot four elephants in the H awash valley, not very 

 far from the capital. By adopting the Abyssinian 

 method of firing volleys, he managed to slay two, and 

 returned to Adis Ababa much elated by this valiant 

 deed. He had his ear pierced, and made arrangements 

 for a party of drums to proclaim his triumph, after his 

 audience and receipt of the coveted ear-ring from the 

 emperor. With a self-satisfied smile he strutted up the 

 great hall, clicked his heels together and saluted, ex- 

 claiming, "Sire, I have had great good fortune: I have 

 killed two elephants ! " only to be met with the chilling 

 reply : " How is that ? I gave orders for you to kill 

 four." The courtiers smiled, and the discomfited swaggerer 

 turned on his heel and passed out of the hall, sans ear- 

 ring, sans roll of drums, and even, so unkind rumour 

 says, sans paying the drummers. 



While I was at Adis Ababa, a French adventurer 

 arrived with a cinematograph. He had spent almost 



