254 ^ SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



time to wait while his messenger made a journey of 

 possibly 150 miles to the governor, and then perhaps 

 had to go himself 100 miles out of his way, why, he 

 must put up with the consequences, and get on as 

 best he may. 



Next morning, after our long delay, we were loaded 

 and off by 7.30, many touching farewells taking place 

 between my men and the fair ones who had helped to 

 make their long stay here less dreary. Basha Kassa 

 remained behind, evidently having had peremptory 

 orders from the Dedjatch, for, soon after I left, I met 

 the messenger of the previous evening, who stopped to 

 say that his master heard I had received a reply from 

 the Emperor, and that of course his word was law. He 

 then hurried on to Basha Kassa, who caught me up 

 at a gallop, his face wreathed in smiles. We proceeded 

 along a path winding among scattered hills. Our 

 general direction was N.N.W. till we camped on 

 the border of Argomeder, at a place called Amba 

 Giorgis. As at last there seemed some chance of seeing 

 big game, I had a little practice with my .400 cordite 

 rifle — the 8-bore I knew well, and target-practice with 

 a two-ounce ball and 10 drams of powder is not an 

 unmixed joy. 



Besides the provisions the villagers brought, Belat 

 Wurgie also sent some food, although I was not yet in 

 his district, but Dedjatch Digsow had sent nothing. 

 The village headman said that the robber band, which 

 had their headquarters at Ouarra, had stopped two men 

 the other day. to inquire about me and the date of my 

 arrival. 



