ROYAL PRESENT. 307 



same subject, he bid me " Good bye," in the usual 

 abrupt manner, and I retired with Walderheros 

 to the house of the monks, followed by Tinta, who 

 had been present the whole of the interview, and 

 who now congratulated me upon the position I 

 stood in with regard to the Negoos. I certainly 

 did not attach that importance to his friendship as 

 he seemed to do, although I felt gratified at the 

 attention my endeavours to serve him and his 

 subjects appeared to command. 



By the time we returned to the college, my wet 

 clothes were all dried, and I soon divested myself 

 of the Abyssinian costume and resumed my usual 

 appearance. 



There being, however, every prospect of the rain 

 recommencing, we were all anxious to return to 

 warm weather and Aliu Amba as soon as possible, 

 and I only remained sitting with the priests until 

 my mule was brought up. A large goat that had 

 been royally fed with barley and salt for the 

 king's own table, afforded a tiresome occupation to 

 Walderheros and Goodaloo, as in turns they took 

 the long rope attached to his horns, and endea- 

 voured, much against his inclination, to drag him 

 along with us. He was as large as a roebuck, 

 and as contumacious and stiff-necked as well-fed 

 beasts of all descriptions are apt to be. Now 

 hanging behind, nothing but being positively 

 carried up the steep miry hill could induce him 

 to ascend to the top, but when arrived there, he 

 x 2 



