286 ARRIVE AT MYOLONES. 



brought up to Shoa with me from the Adal country 

 had been begged from me by Tinta, who presented 

 it as a desirable offering, to the priests of the church 

 of St. George, on the road from Aliu Amba to 

 Ankobar. 



The palace, a number of long thatched residences, 

 enclosed by a strong stockade, and surrounded with 

 ted and wild olive trees, occupied the left side of 

 the valley, as we approached from the east. A 

 little spur, projecting into the valley, affords a con- 

 venient perch, and the side opposite to us was 

 dotted with white tobed courtiers, and numerous 

 individuals passing and repassing, formed a lively 

 scene. The heights of Kundi and Mamrat behind, 

 enveloped in fogs, and the sun struggling through 

 a thick bank of clouds, made everything seem un- 

 comfortable, which impression was aided consider- 

 ably when I dismounted, and found I had to walk 

 some distance up the palace hill on a moist, soddy 

 turf, that seemed to hold water like bog-moss. 



My arrival was soon notified to the Negoos 

 whilst I was invited into a large new building of the 

 usual character, constructed outside of the palace 

 enclosures, and which was intended for the accom- 

 modation of the numerous train of attendants, 

 guards, and guests that now followed his Majesty ; 

 and which, having greatly increased by the suc- 

 cesses of his arms and his reputation for wisdom, 

 had rendered it necessary to enlarge considerably 

 all the royal residences since he had come to the 



