320 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



and camped on an open spot at the foot of a small 

 hill, crowned by a brand-new stockade of stone and 

 poles. Dedjatch Merrit, a younger brother of Dedjatch 

 Cubudda, who was in command of the fort, sent a 

 message soon after my arrival that he would like to 

 see me. Although not particularly pleased at being 

 disturbed after a long march, I went up at once, as I 

 wanted a guide to take me on towards the Soudan. 

 About the gate of the enclosure a number of soldiers 

 were standing, who barely made way for me to pass. 

 Close to the entrance was a large circular black tent, to 

 which I was conducted. I found it filled with men 

 standing ; at the further side, seated on a carpet spread 

 over some mule-saddles and grass, was the Dedjatch, a 

 youth of nineteen. He received me without rising, and, 

 there being no place for me to sit down except on the 

 dirty floor, I remained standing, until, on a remark from 

 one of the older men present, he made way for me 

 beside him. I handed him the Emperor's letter, which 

 he received without any sign of respect, and having 

 read carelessly, tossed it back to me, and asked why I 

 had shown it to him? He plied me with questions and 

 wanted to see everything I had. He said that there 

 was a large band of robbers on the road to Metemmeh, 

 and that he was now collecting a force to attack them. 

 He added that the country would be dangerous to travel 

 in with the few men I had with me. After two hours, 

 I got away and back to camp, he promising me a guide 

 on the morrow. 



In the morning, after all the loads were packed, 

 the man who had " presented " me with a fat bullock 



