TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
IT 
complaint upon this head. Soon after, a present 
arrived of three hundred wheaten loaves, nume- 
rous jars of mead, and ten oxen. On the follow- 
ing days similar presents continued to arrive, par- 
ticularly a calf, dressed whole, in paste, and the 
belly stuffed with spices and fruits, in a manner 
which gave extraordinary delight to the palates of 
the mission. It was hinted, however, that these- 
supplies would cease, unless they delivered to the 
Prete all the pepper in their possession. They 
positively denied the possession of any considerable 
quantity of pepper ; but obtained apparently little 
credit, and a serious coolness from that time arose. 
However, on the night of the 1st of November, 
two hours after sunset, the Prete again sent for them. 
On coming to the first circuit or hedge, they were 
detained for a " good hour in the cold wind." At 
length five principal men came and led them in. As 
soon as they were within hearing, these persons 
began to call out, one after another, " Sire, those 
" whom thou hast commanded we bring/' In this 
manner the Portuguese were conducted to the 
royal bed, which was placed within a large house, 
constructed of earth, and was supported on pillars 
of cypress. Before it, on each side, was an even 
row of eighty torches. The bed was adorned with 
five curtains of fine silk, one of which was em- 
broidered with gold. The Prete was behind the 
curtains, and immediately began to hold a convex- 
vol, u, B 
