124 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA cHAr. 



men advanced, bearing on their heads the three sacred 

 books — the Gospel, the Bible, and the Psalms. Each 

 book was rolled in rich brocade of green and gold, or 

 bine and gold, so that no part of it could be seen. 

 The ends of the cloths reached to the men's elbows 

 and produced a curious effect, their heads and shoulders 

 appearing as in a deep frame. A large Bible, with 

 highly ornamented silver-gilt cover, was next produced, 

 and after a short portion had been read, was kissed 

 by the two archbishops and the Emperor. Then the 

 chief priests retired to the tent, while the men placed 

 on the two sides of the square commenced a chant, 

 and, led by priests, waved their crutch-wands in time to 

 their voices. To the accompaniment of the shaking of 

 sistrums the chant grew louder and louder, and as the 

 chief priests returned from the tent, the drums, including 

 a very handsome one of pierced silver-work, joined in 

 the symphony. The higher dignitaries were now 

 grouped beside the tent, with the three sacred books in 

 their midst, and, at a given signal, the others, while 

 still chanting and waving their wands, began a slow 

 and rythmical dance. It was something like a quadrille : 

 four of the performers faced the Emperor, while behind 

 them another group of eight, four facing four, set to 

 each other. This is believed by the Ethiopians to be 

 the identical step danced by David before the Ark. 

 After each bar, those in front of the Emperor bowed 

 and retired, whereupon those immediately behind turned 

 and took their places, while a fresh set was formed. 



The chanting and dancing became faster and faster, 

 until, on a sign from the Emperor, it suddenly ceased. 



