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CHAPTER XIX. 



Examination of the gunpowder. — Tinta in disgrace. — The remedy. 

 - — The scribes, or dupteraoitsh. — Their mode of writing.- — 

 Audience with the Negoos. — Memolagee.' — College of priests. — 

 My new residence. — Night of storm. — Uncomfortable situation. 

 — Weather clears up. 



I declined taking a seat in the waiting-room out- 

 side the palace-courts, as I thought that by being 

 reported waiting at the gate, I might be called 

 sooner to an audience with the Negoos. It was 

 not long before Tinta, who had already arrived at 

 the palace, came to inform me that after some little 

 business was concluded with the superior of the 

 Church in Shoa, the Negoos would see me. A crowd 

 of idle courtiers had now surrounded me, amusing 

 themselves with the gunpowder, tasting it, smelling 

 it, and giving their opinion, and questioning 

 Walderheros how it was made. A judicious 

 silence, however, obtained for my servant the credit 

 of knowing fully how it was prepared ; he was wise 

 enough to keep his ignorance to himself, and then, 

 as he remarked afterwards, nobody knew anything 

 about it. Tinta had also got something to ask me, 

 but as it was very private, and there was no other 



VOL. II. U 



