250 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



ago, and although many people stopped me, I only had to show the 

 order with the Emperor's seal, when they not only brought food for 

 myself and mule, but hurried me on my journey, for fear any ill 

 befell me while in their district. 



As my messenger finished his story, he unbound his 

 cummerbund and took out a packet containing the letter 

 from the Emperor, others from Captain Harrington, 

 Mr. Baird, and from home, besides the packet for Ras 

 Wurgay, which, despite Menehk's orders, he had feared 

 to deHver. I sent for Falukka and got him to read to 

 Basha Kassa my letter from Janhoi. It was evident that 

 it made a great impression on all who heard it, and, as it 

 was market-day, the news soon spread far and near, 

 doubtless with many embellishments. I then handed 

 Basha Kassa the letter for his master, Ras Wurgay, but 

 he at first refused it, saying that it had been given to my 

 man to deliver. I said, " Quite so, but your master's 

 men have beaten and robbed my man once, and I do 

 not intend sending any one near him again." Putting 

 the letter in his hand, I called every one to witness that 

 he had it, and that on the morrow I started for the low- 

 country to shoot. He then begged and prayed me to 

 send some one else with it, saying, if one of his men 

 took it, and it contained a reprimand from the Emperor, 

 the messenger would probably lose his hand. I refused, 

 and I believe some unfortunate villager carried it, but 

 what reception he met with I never heard. It was 

 most amusing to see my men, with their best shammas 

 on, and their rifies well polished, swaggering about the 

 market; little groups of villagers collecting around them 



