MY REQUEST GRANTED. 209 



that I was coming, and my baiderabah Tinta had 

 arranged everything for our starting together by 

 sunrise, I considered that it would be as well to 

 send my servant with the sugar, and a verbal mes- 

 sage to the Negoos, stating why I could not attend 

 myself in person. Tinta also considered, that cir- 

 cumstanced as I was, it would be the best plan for 

 me to adopt, and readily agreed to accompany Wal- 

 derheros, and explain my wishes respecting the 

 house. After a little conversation, we also fixed 

 upon the one most likely to suit me, and they then 

 departed with the sugar, which I had packed up 

 for them in an old tin powder-canister. 



They returned early in the afternoon attended 

 by a long train of Tinta's servants, and three palace 

 affaroitsh, bearing presents of wheaten bread, 

 honey, and a jar of preserved butter called " natta 

 kibbee," the only kind that can be obtained in 

 Shoa during the times of the rains. 



The reception of my baiderabah and envoy, 

 Walderheros, at the palace had been most flattering, 

 and my request for a house complied with imme- 

 diately by the gratified monarch, who also ordered 

 one of the affaroitsh to remain in Aliu Amba to 

 see me comfortably settled in my new quarters. 



The next morning was a very busy one for 

 Walderheros, as from my illness everything had 

 devolved upon him. He had first to arrange with 

 two surviving sisters of the late owner of the 

 house, who came forward to claim sundry articles 



VOL. II. p 



