176 DEALING IN SLAVES. 



to the mouth, until it had entirely disappeared. 

 Mahriam, the slave-girl, who sat with the rest, was 

 not neglected, for a larger portion came to her 

 share than to any of the others. Slaves generally 

 are considered hy their owners in the light of near 

 relations, or rather, perhaps, as foster children. 

 When their conduct is so very bad as to alienate 

 the affection of their indulgent masters, they are 

 not unfrequently dismissed. Latterly, however, a 

 greater relaxation in the principles of the Christians 

 of Shoa, as in other portions of Abyssinia, has led 

 to a punishment for refractory slaves, by selling 

 them to their Mahomedan neighbours, who soon 

 forward them to the coast. Canon law prohibits 

 this custom of selling slaves altogether, but a 

 system of smuggling in this unhappy commodity is 

 extensively carried on, by the very priests of the 

 religion itself, who are continually bringing slave- 

 children to Aliu Amba market from Gurague, and 

 other Christian states to the south of Shoa. 



The repast being concluded, all wiped their 

 pottage-soiled fingers upon the last fragments of the 

 bread, which were then duly swallowed. Mahriam 

 now got up, and from out a gourd-shell poured a 

 little water upon the hands of each of the party, who, 

 rubbing the fingers together a little, then dried them 

 upon their ample tobes. A gambo of strong ale 

 called thalah, containing at least five gallons, was now 

 opened, and deep horn cups were frequently replen- 

 ished, whilst a lively conversation concerning the 



