CHAPTER XV 



Collecting a caravan — Passports from the Negus — An Irish resident from 

 the time of Theodore— Building the Residency — The Emperor's forest 

 of Managasha — Lovely scenery — Bushbuck — -Black and white monkeys 

 — Reedbuck — Duiker — Return to the capital. 



For twelve clays I endeavoured to collect mules for my 

 journey, but only succeeded in adding seven to the six 

 1 already possessed. Of these, two strayed while out 

 grazing, and one only was recovered, so the net 

 result was the collection of twelve mules. Meanwhile 

 I had been making boxes to carry stores, buying all 

 sorts of things for the journey, such as liquors for 

 Abyssinian guests, burnouses for my men, pack-saddles 

 and raw-hide ropes for the mules which I still hoped 

 to procure, leather sacks for flour and rice, and, in 

 short, getting ready all my impedimenta for a start. 

 Five letters, prepared by the Emperor's Secretary, and 

 bearing the seal of the Lion of Judah, enclosed in 

 envelopes with the royal cypher in gold, came in from 

 the Emperor's camp. These documents were addressed 

 to King Tecla Haymanot and the Rases through whose 

 territory I was to pass. They stated my name and 

 nationality, set forth that I had the Emperor's permis- 



