3 03 



CHAPTER XX. 



Abyssinian dress. — Visit to the Negoos. — Inspection of fire-arms. 

 — Congratulated on my reception.- — Return to Aliu Amba.' — A 

 troublesome companion.' — Pleasant beverage. — Market day. — 

 Numerous visitors. — Home manufacture of cloth. 



August lWi. — Every endeavour was now made by 

 the worthy priests to obviate any ill effects from 

 the exposure during the night ; fresh billets were 

 piled upon the hearth, and dry clothes being sent 

 for from the palace, with Walderheros' assistance I 

 was soon dressed as a southern Abyssinian. I did 

 not look to advantage, certainly, in my new suit, 

 for the sennafil, a pair of very loose petticoat 

 drawers, fastened by a thick, but soft, cotton rope 

 around my waist, left my white thin legs bare for 

 more than a hand's-breadth above the knee. In 

 lieu of my shirt the long mekanet, or girdle, a 

 narrow band of cloth one cubit wide, and some- 

 times twenty or even thirty cubits long, was wrapt 

 around my loins, being spread open over my chest, 

 and behind almost as high as my shoulders. It is 

 not usual for the Abyssinians to wear this in the 

 house, but as I thought that I was not quite 

 bound by their habits, considering my present 



