XIV FINAL INTERVIEW WITH THE NEGUS 147 



there seemed no hope of my getting off for some time. 

 On the evening of my arrival, an EngHsh mail came in, 

 and we all sat up late, reading letters and news of the 

 Boer War. On the 23rd, Captain Harrington, who was 

 still confined to his bed, sent Mr. Beru up to the Gebi, 

 to ask the Emperor to have the promised letters to the 

 Rases prepared for me, as Menelik was leaving that day. 

 Just after eleven o'clock Mr. Beru returned, with a 

 message, asking me to come up to the palace to bid 

 adieu. The Negus was surprised at my early start. 

 He had first asked if I should be in the capital on his 

 return in a month's time, and, when he heard that I 

 wished to start as soon as possible, said he should like to 

 see me and say good-bye. On receiving the Emperor's 

 message, I hurried into dress-clothes and, mounted on 

 " Ambalai," cantered over to the Gebi with Mr. Beru, 

 escorted by two of the sowars. While I waited in the 

 audience hall the interpreter sought the Emperor, 

 whom he found giving a breakfast to his soldiers in the 

 Aderash, before setting out on his journey. On being 

 informed of my arrival, his first regret was that he 

 had no European dishes prepared for me, but was re- 

 assured on hearing that I had already breakfasted. On 

 my way to the great hall, I passed the Emperor's 

 body-guard and his mule, ready saddled, waiting to set 

 out directly after the entertainment. I was conducted 

 into the Aderash, on the floor of which some 2500 

 soldiers were seated in little groups round the baskets of 

 bread. On the dais was the Emperor, with his Rases 

 and chief officers grouped around him. In view of the 

 impending departure of the Court, the canopy and gilt 



