138 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap, xiii 



and that only on rare occasions, but, with his usual 

 quick perception, Menelik had noticed how rapidly 

 Captain Harrington's ponies improved in appearance. 

 He asked the reason, and, when he heard of their daily 

 grooming, sent some of his own syces to be taught, and 

 said he would himself come and see the operation some 

 day. After having the whole process explained to him, 

 and asking many questions of detail, he went across to 

 the harness-room and looked over the Indian sowars' 

 equipment and some Egyptian cavalry saddles which 

 Captain Harrington had brought from Cairo. A visit to 

 the kennels followed, and then the Emperor left, saying 

 he must see another course soon. Unfortunately, a run 

 of bad luck prevented this, as both greyhound bitches 

 became very ill and only recovered after long and most 

 careful nursing. There seems to be something in the 

 climate of Adis Ababa most trying to canine life, for both 

 of the fox-hounds died, and one morning, 'about a month 

 after the coursing meeting, Zulu was found curled up dead. 

 The Emperor was most anxious to have at least one of 

 the dogs at the palace with him, so the fox-terrier was 

 sent up, and the Empress, who shares the Negus's love 

 for dogs, made a great pet of him, allowing no one to 

 feed him but herself. One evening, shortly afterwards, a 

 number of men were seen approaching the Agency from 

 the palace. The party proved to be the Empress's Master 

 of the Horse, carrying the dog on a cushion and escorted 

 by sixty men. He said that Queen Taitu, believing the 

 dog to be ill, had ordered him to carry it immediately 

 back to Captain Harrington, and threatened him, as he 

 valued his right hand, not to let the dog be disturbed or 



