AUDIENCE CHAMBER. 151 



three times before fence his retreat nbout. Several 

 long low houses stood around, serving as stores and 

 offices, and conspicuous among them was the little 

 round cottage, about twenty-two feet in diameter, 

 that was then being erected by Capt. Graham. 

 One of the thatched houses was raised to a second 

 story, open in front, each side of which was orna- 

 mented with trellicework of very rude carpentry. 

 In this elevated alcove, upon a couch, covered with 

 red velvet, and reposing upon large cushions of 

 yellow-coloured satin lay the Negoos of Shoa, Sahale 

 Selassee, whilst many-coloured Persian carpets 

 covered the floor, and hung over outside into the 

 court. 



I uncovered my head after the most approved 

 court fashion, at least as far as I knew anything of 

 the matter, but a slight movement of the considerate 

 monarch instructed me that he desired I should 

 keep my cap on whilst standing in the sun, address- 

 ing me at the same time by an Arabic expression, 

 signifying " How do you do." 



This mode of commencing the conversation rather 

 puzzled me, for simple as was the salutation, I had 

 forgotten the meaning of "kiphanter" and fancying 

 it to be some Amharic word, turned for assistance to 

 Walderheros, who, however, dropped his nether jaw, 

 and looked a vacant " I don't know ; don't ask me.' 1 

 Waarkie, who stood with numerous other courtiers 

 around the royal couch, came to the edge of the 

 stage, and repeated the word, upon which, recol- 



