I50 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap, xiv 



of thought, for the next question was, " Does England 

 allow the native princes in India to have as many 

 soldiers as they like of their own?" My reply was, 

 "Yes, and the Government does all it can to encourage 

 them to make them as efficient as possible." This 

 seemed rather to surprise him, and his astonishment was 

 great, when I added, that none of these Indian princes I 

 had seen had such large retinues continually about them 

 as he (Menelik) had. At this he smiled, and exclaimed, 

 " These are nothing, you should see one of my war 

 expeditions ! " I then referred to the Transvaal War and 

 the reverses we had suffered, as I knew these had been 

 made the most of in certain quarters, and was anxious to 

 hear what the Emperor would say. " But," said he, 

 " these reverses are only what are to be expected. Your 

 troops are far off; when you get them there it will be 

 different." I asked that I might be allowed to shoot on 

 the way to Simien. "Certainly," he said, "you may 

 shoot wherever there is game." I then bade adieu, the 

 Negus sending kind messages to Captain Harrington 

 and wishing me God-speed in the words, " May God 

 take you safely through your journey back to your own 

 country." 



