ARRIVAL BEFORE MAQDALA. 89 



miles, we reached the scarp of the Bashilo ravine, even 

 deeper than that of the Jitta, but less striking, because 

 not so abrupt ; the opposite side, instead of being one 

 immense unbroken cliff like that on both sides of the 

 Jitta, being cut up by ravines and of unequal height. 

 Opposite to us rose the fortress of Magdala,^ the scarp 

 surrounding which looked small at this distance, and 

 dwarfed by the higher flat-topped hills beyond. On a 

 ridge to the right, the two British camps were con- 

 spicuous, that of the 1st Brigade on the Arogy^ spur, 

 and that of the 2d Brigade a little nearer and lower. 

 These heights had been occupied, the evening before, and 

 the smart skirmish which ensued with Theodore's army 

 had been distinctly seen from Dalanta ; but although 

 the flashes and smoke of the small arms and steel 

 guns had been clearly distinguishable, the only sounds 

 heard were those made by Theodore's large cannon, fired 

 from Fala. 



I descended the steep road to the river, over rocks 

 similar to those seen in the Jitta sections, but without 

 sedimentary interstratifications ; and, reascending the 

 opposite hills, reached the camp at Arogy^ before even- 

 ing. This was on Saturday, the 10th of April, the 

 evening on which the prisoners were released. I had 

 marched from Senafe, with only one day's halt, in twenty- 

 three days, and, of course, anything like a careful exa- 

 mination of the country was out of the question. 



' It is as well to mention that the accent in this word is on the first syllable. 

 Magddla is incorrect. This is mentioned by Markham also, but the false 

 accentuation has been very generally adopted. \ 



