76 THEODORE II. AND THE NEW EMPIRE OF ABYSSINIA. 



worship. A long time before the battle of Dereskie, he attached himself 

 to his fortunes, good or bad, watching over him like a faithful mastiff, 

 sleeping across his doorway. And this ardent sympathy was to a 

 great extent reciprocated. The Negus listened, with pleasure, to his 

 disinterested and sincere, although sometimes bold counsels ; and got 

 him to explain to him the history, comparative strength, policy, and 

 present situation of the European States. A single fact may help to 

 form a judgment as to the ascendancj?^ of Mr. Bell over this strange 

 man. One day, when he had asked justice from his royal friend for 

 I know not what grievance, and had not obtained it, he remembered 

 the old feudal custom, which allows the Abyssinian nobleman, on 

 horseback and under arms, to speak to the sovereign with the most 

 absolute freedom. He immediately took his lance and shield, mounted 

 his horse, found the Negus seated among all his chiefs at the door of 

 his tent, and reproved him sharply for his caprice, tyranny, and ingra- 

 titude. Theodore did not say a word. In the evening, the two friends 

 were at supper together as usual : the Negus went out for a minute, 

 then returned, bearing a heavy stone upon his neck, and bent down 

 before Mr. Bell. According to the law of the country, every offended 

 party has a right to this reparation on the part of the offender, vs^hat- 

 ever may be their difference in rank, and the Negus, as restorer of old 

 customs, could not withdraw himself from it. Mr. Bell, surprised 

 and confounded, flew towards him, took the stone in his hands, andj 

 with respectful abruptness, begged him, for the future, not to forget 

 his royal rank. It is well to add, that this Englishman, treated with 

 so much regard by Theodore, had the title of likamanhuas, that is to 

 say, he was one of the four officers who on the day of battle wear the 

 same dress as the Negus, in order to confuse the enemy when deter- ■ 

 mined on his death : a perilous and purely honorary position, for it 

 brings with it neither fief nor emolument, yet is eagerly sought after 

 by a monarchical and chivalrous people. Mr. Bell was master of 

 ceremonies to all Europeans that came to see his prince. His oblig- 

 ing disposition had no bounds, find knew no nationality. He preserves 

 Theodore in those feelings of sympathy for Trance, which are natural 



to the Neg;us. 



(To he continued^ 



