43^ A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



triumph from Walkait, having shot a Honess. His head 

 was tied up with red and blue silk, and a fringe of hair 

 bound round his forehead to represent the lion''s mane ; 

 a fiddler led the way, followed by a crowd of men, who 

 chanted the hunter's prowess, while the hero of the 

 doughty deed pranced about in the middle, waving his 

 rifle and letting off blank cartridges at intervals. Close 

 behind him the lion-skin, partly stuffed with straw, was 

 borne along on a pole, while half the village followed in 

 an admiring throng. 



After a capital dinner, I turned into bed, under a roof 

 for the first time since I left Zeila over eight months ago. 

 A six-hours' march next morning, along a good camel 

 road, brought us to the fort of Adi Ugri ; Godofelasie 

 having been left a little to our right. Passing the lines 

 of the native troops I ordered camp to be pitched at the 

 foot of a hill, in a spot which commanded a good view 

 of the parade-ground and the fort above. On my way 

 to visit the officer in command, I was met by his A.D.C., 

 who had not expected my arrival so early. He insisted 

 on my things being taken to a house that had been 

 prepared for me, while we entered the fort and I was 

 introduced to Major Baldini, commanding the ist regi- 

 ment of native troops, which formed the garrison. 

 Being pressed to accept an invitation to dine at mess, 

 in spite of my rough attire, I rather reluctantly did so, 

 and then returned to " my house" to write letters. For- 

 tunately, some time before the dinner hour. Lieutenant 

 Talamonti arrived in spotless white tunic and breeches to 

 fetch me, when I discovered that my watch was twenty- 

 five minutes slower than their time. We went up to the 



