64 THEODORE II. AND THE 



He still possessed a faithful army, commanded by his son Cheton, 

 for whom he had no great affection, whom he humiliated as much aa 

 he could, probably because he saw in him a youug fool whose war- 

 like propensities might compromise the future success of his work. 

 Cheton had formed two squadrons of picked men, one of which wore 

 the white lemde, a kind of skeep-skin scarf, and the other the black, 

 and who had won under fire a reputation which it was their great 

 aim to maintain. In a military poiut of view, therefore, Oubie was 

 as strong as Kassa; but the latter had with him that course of eventa 

 which in politics, irresistibly, and almost without effort, carries a man 

 into power. Oubie had not, during a reign of over twenty years," 

 displayed any of those qualities which, in a critical period, assure a 

 prince of the enthusiastic and affectionate devotion of his subjects. 

 He had sown duplicity, perjury and a vulgar and ignoble dread ; 

 now he was about to reap desertion and open treachery. The vice- 

 roy of Tigre had just re-entered Semen when his rival came up with 

 him, after a tiresome march, in view of the plain of Dereskie, where 

 was the line of the Tigreen army stretched over a great extent of 

 ground. Kassa immediately ordered the attack. His troops replied 

 by a general murmur of discontent ; and the Negus, for a moment, 

 was perplexed ; but he quickly saw that hesitation could only com- 

 promise a victory that seemed sure to him. He passed down the 

 lines of his army, addressed his men in brief and energetic language^ 

 recalled their former victories, and spoke disdainfully of the enemy. 

 '* Is it that impotent old man," said he, " who is to stop your path ? 

 Are you afraid of these muskets' loaded with powder and rags ? 

 Shall these rocks and precipices hinder your courage ? Follow me, 

 and, by the will of God, I shall not call myself Kassa, to-morrow !" 



The first charge of the Amharas was vigorously received by Oubie'a 

 fusileers, who made great breaches in their ranks. At the same 

 time, brave Cheton, followed by his black and white squadrons, 

 attacked with fury ; and Oubie himself, in spite of his infirmities, 

 set his soldiers an example of unlooked-for boldness. The battle 

 was for a long time undecided ; but at last, Cheton fell, severely 

 wounded. Oubie had his leg run through with a lance in the hands 

 of Kassa himself, and his general Kokobie. with his division, either 

 went over to the enemy, or remained neutral (the fact has not yefc 

 been satisfactorily cleared up). The victory was complete. Oubie 

 fell into the hands of the conqueror. Cheton, forgotten upon the 



