CHAP. XXI 



A LARGE ESCORT 



223 



march through bushy country, we reached a small patch 

 of open grass, on which we found some two hundred 

 soldiers drawn up in line on either side of the road, to 

 act as my escort. They were a fine, useful-looking 

 body of men, dressed in their best shammas, all armed 

 with rifles, and many carrying swords and shields in 

 addition. Their four officers received me, dismounted, 

 in front of their men. When I reached the centre of 



Escort sent by Ras Wurgay. 



the line, the officers mounted their mules, and the men 

 fell in anyhow, in two bodies before and behind us. In 

 this order we proceeded to my camp, half a mile distant, 

 four men blowing shawms at intervals. While I put 

 on a more presentable suit, the escort drew up in line 

 opposite my tent, and I managed to get a snap-shot 

 of them. Then, with the addition of all the available 

 armed men of my own caravan, we moved off again 

 up-hill, and soon reached Ras Wurgay's stockade. It 

 was roughly built and not very strong. The gate, which 

 looked like a drawbridge upside down, was supported 

 by two poles, which, when removed, let it fall and so 

 closed the opening. Just inside the entrance a number 

 of armed men were ranged on either side. Passing the 



