TO PROCEED TO FARREE. 483 



that the members of the embassy were all in prison. 

 I insisted therefore remaining where I was, or that 

 the Hy Sonmaulee should go to Farree with me ; 

 and as these untamed gentlemen had already taken 

 offence, and sat in the usual threatening manner, 

 determined to force their way if any attempt were 

 made to prevent them, it was at length, after a long 

 debate, agreed that they should occupy the garden, 

 or enclosure, around the house to which I was to 

 be taken ; I becoming responsible to the negoos, or 

 king, whose name they appeared to look upon as 

 sacred, for this breach of the particular command 

 that had been issued respecting any more English 

 that might come up to Shoa. During the dis- 

 cussion, I could not help laughing at one of the 

 Abyssinians, who had taken my carabine as it lay 

 upon the ground, and seemed unwilling to give it 

 up to me on my request, calling out as he held it 

 away, " Y' negoos, Y' negoos, Sahale Selassee," as if 

 he had been a constable, and that these words were 

 an inviolable authority. Moosa, who saw the 

 whole affair, and heard me telling the man to put 

 the gun down, now interfered, and saying some- 

 thing in a threatening tone, the fat burly citizen, 

 who I could see was no fighting character, quickly 

 did as he was commanded, but still repeating, 

 "Sahale Selassee, Sahale Selassee." 



My mule being brought, I mounted for a long 

 ride, as I expected, and proceeded with the Hy 

 Soumaulee, who, having gained their point of 



