CHAPTER XXXIV 



We reach Adua — A Greek trader — Adua market — King John's interpreter 

 — A tantahsing episode — Battle and sporting pictures — Ledj Marcha's 

 house — An Abyssinian trial — My passports discussed — The battle of 

 Adua. 



It was as well we halted where we did, for next day it 

 took over two hours to reach Adua, where we camped 

 on a nice stretch of Q;rass to the east of the town, and 

 close by the market-place. The town is built on a hill 

 round two large churches, and, with the exception of 

 Gondar, is the most substantial-looking place I have seen 

 in all Abyssinia. A Greek who trades between here 

 and Asmara came to see me and gave me various items 

 of news, in return for which I tried to sell him some 

 lame mules, but without success. My next visitors were 

 a group of men, who came to inform me that I had no 

 business to camp where I was, as the place was reserved 

 for persons of high degree. This seemed greatly to 

 tickle my men, and they chaffed them unmercifully, 

 till I had to interfere, and sent off Adarar with the 

 Emperor's letter to show their master. The Saturday 

 market was being held, so I went across and got a 

 number of photos, as well as a collection of samples of 

 the different kinds of grain for sale. Of these there 



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