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CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Message from the Negoos.< — Visit Ankobar. — The Monk Bethle- 

 hem. — Conversation. — Bad weather. — A tattooing operation. — 

 Interview with Negoos. 



Some few days after Karissa had visited me, an 

 affaro came from the palace at Ankobar, with a 

 message that I should proceed immediately to see 

 the Negoos. On inquiring what circumstance had 

 occurred to occasion such a sudden and urgent 

 summons, I learned that a Gypt priest had 

 arrived from Gondah, and that he spoke English, 

 and for all that my informant knew, might be an 

 ascar (a subject or servant) of my Queen. As soon 

 as I heard this, I was in a great hurry to be away, 

 although, had I consulted common prudence, I 

 shpuld certainly have postponed the interview, 

 upon the plea of the exceedingly weak state in 

 which I was, and the violence of fever attacks 

 every other day, especially as the height of 

 Ankobar was entombed in clouds, nor had I seen 

 its summit for several days past. A mule, how- 

 ever, being procured, and certain resting-places 

 during the ride having been determined upon, where 

 friends of Walderheros or Goodaloo resided, I 

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