WITH MY BALDERABAH. 183 



During the nine months I remained in Shoa, how- 

 ever, this maintenance, which is considered equiva- 

 lent to the gift of a village, was supplied to me 

 monthly, as regularly as if I had sent my own 

 servant for it. The only deviation in this first 

 arrangement was when Sheik Tigh was taken 

 away upon some duty to Bulga, the ten cuna of 

 grain which he had received was then given to me 

 for the purpose of paying a fresh schoolmaster. 



Tinta was a good-hearted man, very cautious in 

 his manner, and most faithfully attached to his gaitah, 

 Saliale Selassee, than whom, in his eyes, there could 

 not be a better or a greater monarch. For several days 

 he remained in Aliu Amba, and on some pretence 

 or other always came accompanied with Sheik Tigh 

 as his interpreter to spend the afternoon with me. 

 I soon perceived that the real object of these visits 

 was to learn the motive that had induced so many 

 Europeans to visit Shoa of late. About this time, 

 it must be observed, information had arrived of the 

 approach of M. Rochet de Hericourt bearing pre- 

 sents from the King of France to Sehale Selassee. 

 I scarcely knew how to answer Tinta, except by 

 complimenting him upon the able character of the 

 Xegoos, of which we had heard in our country, and 

 induced us to desire a more intimate acquaintance 

 with a monarch of whom report spoke so highly. 

 This not appearing satisfactory, cupidity, the 

 national vice of Abyssinia, I thought might be 

 excited favourably for the explanation desired ; so 



