FORD OF MULKUKUYU. 459 



snatching, tear-away steps, I dismounted and got 

 under the shade of a large tree, from whence I 

 could have a good view of the passage of the 

 Kafilah. 



The camels crossed without any other accident, 

 and immediately I had seen the last of the stores 

 over I followed Ohmed Mahomed, who had pre- 

 viously come up to congratulate me on being in the 

 dominions of Sahale Selassee, king of Shoa. 



We went about half a mile farther towards the 

 west before we came to the halting-place for the 

 day, which was called Mulkukuyu, from the 

 passage at this place over the Hawash ; melka, or 

 mulku, in the language of the Galla, signifying a ford. 



Here I found a sudden change from the well- 

 wooded character of the other side, for although 

 high trees and a considerable jungle existed, we 

 all at once halted in a lava-abounding country; 

 low ridges, and steep, conical, crater-like hills being 

 visible in whatever direction we turned. Still, these 

 were all well moulded up to their bases, and nume- 

 rous broad impressions of the feet of the heavy 

 elephant, deeply indented the rich and fertile soil. 



I was congratulating myself so entirely all the 

 day at having reached the other side of the Hawash, 

 that I made but very few other observations upon 

 the surrounding country. Towards evening Ohmed 

 Medina, with his usual anxiety for me to see as 

 much as I could, brought four or five Hy Soumaulee 

 to go with him and me to the shores of a large 



