DIVISION OF PROPERTY. 11 



I passed the night, having received no answer to 

 my note from Ankobar, wishing for the day, still 

 hoping that I might he mistaken in my fears, and 

 that some of the members of the embassy wonld 

 come to congratulate me on my safe arrival, and 

 free me from the anxiety, restraint, and espionage 

 I was now annoyed with ; for two sentinels were 

 constantly on duty in the little enclosure, and 

 always present in the house, when I received visits 

 even from my Hy Soumaulee friends. 



The next day came, but no news from Ankobar. 

 I amused myself as well as I could, writing up my 

 notes and settling small accounts with my escort 

 and those of the Kahlah people, from whose impor- 

 tunities on the road I had relieved myself by 

 promises of presents in Shoa, and who now came 

 for paper, needles, buttons, scissors, and razors. 

 Almost all that I possessed was divided among them 

 as some little return for their continued kindness 

 and fidelity to me on the road ; for I had little to 

 complain of except the continual falsehoods and 

 petty deceits practised invariably by the Tajourah 

 people. Even Ohmed Medina was not altogether 

 exempt from this failing ; but it was from a motive of 

 well-meant kindness, so that I should not be able to 

 detect the number of instances that little attempts 

 were made to impose upon me, and which he 

 thought might lead to expostulation and angry 

 discussions. 



