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CHAPTER XXV. 



Journey from Hiero Murroo to Mettah. — General direction, 

 W. S. W., time marching four hours and a-half. — Conversa- 

 tion upon different roads through Adal to Shoa. — Commercial 

 jealousy between the Muditu and the Dankalli. — Battle of Hihillo. 

 — Surprise sleeping friend. — Frighten my servant Allee. — Halt 

 near Assa-hemerah kraal. 



May 12th, — We were up and away long before 

 sunrise. Ohmed Medina and I were accompanied 

 by a crowd of the escort and Kafilah men, all dis- 

 coursing upon some great engagement that had 

 taken place some few years before, when Lohitu 

 led the combined Dankalli tribes against the Assa- 

 hemerah Muditu, who occupied the whole country 

 on the east of the Hawash, from Owssa to the ford 

 of Mulkukuyu, where our road crossed the Hawash. 

 The scene of this sanguinary conflict was about two 

 hours' march to the north-west of where we were, 

 at the base of a high conical mountain which now 

 came into sight, having previously been shut from 

 the view by the small range of Abhidah. Almost all 

 my Hy Soumaulee escort had been present in the 

 battle, and I received long accounts, during the 

 march, through the interpreting medium of Ohmed 



