PRESENTS FROM THE NEGOOS. 163 



of stones and mud, and upon this a layer of fresh 

 cut grass was laid, and an ox skin was soon found 

 to throw over this dampish looking bed. All being 

 arranged, I was invited to sit down, my shoes and 

 socks being then taken off, the older lady, in 

 accordance with a very usual custom, washed my 

 feet in warm water, and I had already become so 

 used to their manners, that I did not now draw 

 back the foot, as at first I could not help doing, 

 from the salute that is always given when the 

 process is concluded. 



Besides the goat which the Negoos had sent to 

 me, another supply of bread (like our own), butter, 

 cayenne pottage, and tedge, arrived towards the 

 evening, and although I was not able to enjoy the 

 good things myself, the family and Walderheros 

 fared sumptuously upon the viands thus abun- 

 dantly provided. 



After sunset our party was joined by Tinta him- 

 self, who had been detained during the day on 

 duty at the palace. He brought with him the 

 "ullica" of the " affaroitsh," or superior of the 

 distributors of the rations, named Sartawold, " The 

 gift of the Son." He was a regular smooth-faced 

 courtier, sleek and well feci, very quiet, and very 

 cunning. A conversation, not an extremely in- 

 teresting one, was kept up by means of an Islam 

 inhabitant of Aliu Amba, who had arrived in 

 Angolahlah during the day, and upon the strength 

 of having seen me in the market of the former 

 m 2 



