THE GOVERNOR OF THE CITY 213 



in diameter, the window-sill and floor of which were 

 covered with European rugs. Seated with his back to 

 the window was Fitaurari Notoro, the civil governor, an 

 old man of sixty-five with grey hair and beard. His 

 face was intelligent, but he had a careworn expression, 

 as if he found the burden of office heavy. Next to him 

 was Fitaurari I man, the military governor, a much 

 younger man, with his head bound up in a piece ot 

 white muslin. Beyond them in the corner stood an old 

 priest, leaning on an ivory-headed crutch-stick. Among 

 the crowd which almost filled the room I also noticed a 

 dwarf and a very old lady. Two pages, holding the 

 Fitauraris' rifles, were on duty in the apartment. The 

 wall was decorated with their shields of office ornamented 

 with silver and gilt-work. After shaking hands, I was 

 given a carpet-covered stool facing the two Fitauraris. 

 Having inquired after the king's health and their own, I 

 thanked Notoro for his present of provisions, and said 

 the Negus Negusti had given me another letter in 

 addition to the special one for King Tecla Haymanot. 

 I then unwrapped the letter, every one standing up, and 

 handed it to Fitaurari Iman, who tried to read it but did 

 not get on well with the task. A fat little man there- 

 upon bustled out of thf crowd, and bowing, took the 

 letter and read it aloud. 1 had to help him out over 

 "Cotton" and "English," the former seeming specially 

 difficult for him to pronounce. When the reading of the 

 Emperor's letter was concluded, all bowed, and a murmur 

 of " Ische " ran round. Having resumed our seats, I 

 explained the object and route of my proposed journey, 

 and showed them Rowland Ward's book of horns. As 



