THE POLICE OF SHOA. 315 



in some light occupation, would lead to somewhat 

 similar effects in forming a beautiful arm, and I 

 recommend it to my countrywomen, whom I cer- 

 tainly thought of when I made the observation in 

 Aliu Amba. 



An unfortunate Arab, named Allee Chous, one 

 of the discharged servants of the mission, now 

 came in. He had that morning been robbed of 

 sixty-three ahmulahs, the last money he had in 

 the world, and although he hoped to discover the 

 thief, had nothing with which to purchase his next 

 week's provision in the market. I understood the 

 statement to be an appeal for assistance, and as I 

 felt some sympathy for his situation, I gave him the 

 last two salt-pieces I had in the house. Tinta 

 coming in soon after, I made some inquiries 

 respecting the police of Shoa, and learned that there 

 was a regular body of men employed as thief- 

 takers, called Labarshoitsh, who have an ullica, or 

 superior, and form a portion of the royal household, 

 They are agents of the King's commands alone, 

 and it is not until directions have been given by 

 him that they proceed to apprehend culprits. Thieves 

 must therefore have been denounced by name 

 before a Labarshi is sent upon his errand. The 

 Negoos refuses to entertain charges where the 

 accused parties are unknown, on the same plea that, 

 according to Abyssinian ideas, the devil will be 

 repulsed at the last day by our Saviour ; on his 

 demand for justice, the monks say he will be asked 

 the names of the souls that belong to him, which, 



