Chap. XLIV. ALARM AND COWARDICE. 197 
number of foot, although I am persuaded that a re- 
solute attack of a few hundred brave men would have 
defeated the whole of this vain and cowardly host. 
The alarm, as was to be expected, proved unfounded; 
but it showed the small degree of confidence which 
the people had in their own strength. Three pagan 
women had been seen endeavouring to reach the 
water by stealth ; and this gave rise to the conclusion 
that the enemy was near, for the dense forest all 
around hemmed in the view entirely. 
When at length the encampment had resumed its 
former state of tranquillity, the prince A'dishen, with 
a numerous suite of naked followers, came to my tent, 
and I requested him to enter; there was, however, 
nothing attractive or interesting about him, and I was 
glad to get rid of him with a few presents. The 
difference between the Marghi and Miisgu, notwith- 
standing the affinity indicated by their language and 
some of their manners, is indeed great, and is, as I 
have already intimated above, rather to the disad- 
vantage of the latter, whose forms exhibit less of 
symmetry, and whose features have a very wild and 
savage appearance. Neither in these Miisgu cour- 
tiers, nor in the common people, had I observed any 
of those becoming ornaments, especially those iron 
arm-rings, which I have mentioned in describing the 
Marghi. 
A'dishen had shaved his head, in order to give to 
himself the appearance of a Moslim, and wore a tobe ; 
but of his companions, only one had adopted this 
o 3 
