SLAVES OF THE NEGOOS. 75 



kind and as attentive as possible. At the end of 

 that time I became much alarmed at feeling the 

 approach of symptoms threatening a return of the 

 intermittent fever, from which I had suffered so 

 much during the previous eight months. I was 

 not long in determining what course to pursue, but 

 resolved upon leaving Ankobar immediately, and 

 exchange its damp cold atmosphere for the more 

 genial climate of Aliu Amba. 



In Ankobar my time was principally occupied in 

 receiving information respecting the character and 

 customs of the inhabitants of Shoa, but these I had 

 more opportunity subsequently of observing for 

 myself. 



Respecting the slaves of the Negoos, in addition 

 to the water-bearers just spoken of, I learned that 

 he possessed several hundreds of others. All the 

 gunmen who constitute the body-guard are bonds- 

 men, and of these there are at least one thousand. 

 These are divided into three bodies, relieving each 

 other in rotation after one week's attendance at the 

 palace ; so that these men have entirely to them- 

 selves two weeks out of three, a period always spent 

 with their families. As individuals distinguish 

 themselves for bravery and loyalty, they obtain 

 grants of houses and gardens, generally in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of the royal residences. 

 When they advance in years, or have sons old 

 enough to attend in their places, larger quantities 

 of land, apportioned according to merit, are given 



