LEDJ MARC HA 395 



brought tala and coffee. Cats, dogs, and chickens ran 

 about among the stools and bedsteads on which we sat. 

 The courtyard outside, which w^as so deep in mire that 

 stepping-stones were dotted about it, led on one side to 

 the women's house, and on the other to the gate-house, 

 with its massive door giving access to the street. 



When my messenger came back, Ledj Marcha read 

 the Emperor's letters aloud, and I explained how the 

 second passport came to be written. A great deal of 

 discussion now ensued, the Shum finally deciding that, 

 if the Dedjatch did not return in three days' time, I was 

 to continue my journey. He was evidently in con- 

 siderable fear of getting into trouble with his superior 

 officer by letting me pass, but the Emperor's letter was 

 very plain, and there was no quibble or pretext to be 

 found on which he could detain me ; so a copy was taken 

 and attested by several seals, and I returned to camp. 



As soon as the afternoon rain had stopped, I started 

 to go over the battlefield of Adua, and had the positions 

 of the different corps pointed out to me. I have heard 

 a good many accounts of the battle from those who took 

 part in it on either side, and putting all these together I 

 gathered that the main facts were as follows : General 

 Baratieri, with about 25,000 troops, including native 

 levies, held a very strong position at Enticho, to the 

 north-east of Adua. The Abyssinian army, consisting 

 of nine camps or divisions from as many provinces, 

 which, according to different estimates, numbered in all 

 between 100,000 and 200,000 was encamped in a well- 

 chosen position, of which Adua was about the centre. 

 Negotiations had been going on for some time between 



