178 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



more fo, that I could not be even prefent at fo horrid and 

 bloody an exhibition. 



The fuperiors appear at this time with their heads covered 

 as before their valTals ; their mouth, too, is hid, and nothing 

 is feen but their eyes : this does not proceed from modelly, 

 but is a token of fuperiority, of which, covering or 

 uncovering the head is a very fpecial demonflration. After 

 this ceremony is over each man takes his bloody conqueft, 

 and retires to prepare it in the fame manner the Indians do 

 their fcalps. To conclude this beaftly account, the whole 

 army, on their return to Gondar, on a particular day of re- 

 view, throws them before the king, and leaves them at the 

 gate of the palace. It is in fearch of thefe, and the unburi- 

 ed bodies of criminals, that the hyaenas come in fuch num- 

 bers to the llreets, where it is dangerous, even when armed,, 

 to walk after dark. 



This inhuman ceremony being over, alfo the care of 

 the wounded, which indeed precedes every thing, the king 

 received all thofe of the nobility who had diftinguifhed 

 themfelves that day ; the tent was crowded, and he was in 

 great fpirits at the llaughter that had been made, which 

 unbecoming pleafure he never could difguife. He men- 

 tioned the death of his uncle Guebra Chriflos with a degree 

 of chearfulnefs, prefuming, that when fuch a man died on 

 his fide, many of that rank and merit mud have fallen on 

 the other. Villages, appointments, and promotions, gold, 

 promifcs, and prefents of every kind, had been liberally 

 beftowed upon thofe who had prefented themfelves, and 

 who had merited reward that day by their behaviour. The 

 king had been furnilhed with means from the Ras, and ac- 

 cording 



