480 ARRIVE AT DINNOMALEE. 



After a march of about six miles from Kokki, we 

 came to a more sparingly-wooded spot, and on an 

 adjoining height, we discerned some men sitting in 

 very white tobes, who appeared to be waiting for, 

 or watching, our approach. As soon as we saw 

 them, there was a general cry out for me to fire, 

 and I scarcely knew what to think of it ; but the 

 oft-repeated word, " Abshee," " Abshee," soon told 

 me that the men were Abyssinians, and I under- 

 stood that I was to give them a salute. Ohmed 

 Medina being among the most importunate for this 

 display, I laughingly proposed, he should fire my 

 carabine off himself, to which, much to my 

 surprise, he readily acquiesced ; and, after I had 

 cocked both barrels, banged away without any 

 hesitation, securing the applause of all around for 

 his unflinching courage. He was not satisfied with 

 this, but turned to ask me also, if he were not a 

 brave soldier ? to which I, of course, assented. 

 A few moments more brought us on to a small 

 open place of green-sward, surrounded by high 

 mimosa trees, beneath one of which we dismounted, 

 and walked towards the men in the clean tobes, who 

 had also risen, and were now coming to receive 

 us. This was the station of Dinnomalee, where the 

 assair, or tythe, of all articles of merchandise 

 introduced into the Mangust, or kingdom of Shoa, 

 is paid to the King as duty. 



After some moments of very ceremonious 

 greeting, we were conducted beneath the convenient 



