A DILEMMA 235 



Wurgay under the impression that I was to be taken 

 to good shooting-ground ; so, telling my guide that 

 in the morning I would get some one who could read, 

 I dismissed him. 



Next morning the Shum came and read the letter, of 

 which this is a free translation by Colonel W. F. 

 Prideaux : — 



The lion of the tribe of Judah hath conquered, the second MeneHk, 

 the elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia. 



We have delivered this our letter to Mr. Cotton, a subject of the 

 English Kingdom. 



While passing through Gojam, Dembia, Simien, and Tigre, we 

 command you to regularly supply him with food, and let him pass 

 without hindrance on his journey, and also where there are wild beasts 

 along the road show them, so that he may hunt. 



Written on the ist of the month of Tarr in the year of grace 1892.1 

 x\t the Camp of Safety.- 



This letter had already been seen by the two Fitauraris 

 at Debra Markos and also by Ras Wurgay, but not by the 

 King of Gojam, and as the Emperor's letter to him only 

 mentioned shooting at Simien, there now seemed no 

 doubt that Tecla Haymanot had sent instructions in the 

 terms of the letter he had received, and that his officials 

 would recognise no orders but his. Thus, after coming 

 eighteen days' march from Adis Ababa, it seemed certain 

 that, while I and my men would be well fed and escorted 

 safely to Simien, I should get no sport worth men- 

 tioning ! I discussed with my men every plan I could 

 think of for evading these restrictions, including that of 

 going off on our own account, but this, they said, would 



^ Sth January 1900. ^ i.e. The Royal Camp. 



