Bararetta. 
On the following morning the promised cow was 
brought, and bound near to the camp. She was a 
poor brute, and^ looked to me as if she were suffer- 
ing from disease. The Gallas, however, declared 
that though she was not one of the finest animals in 
the country, she was in a good healthy condition, 
and would supply us with a wholesome meal. But 
their notions of these matters are far below par. 
They live to a great extent on the diseased of their 
stock from principle, that is, from the principle of 
economy. A cow, sheep, or goat, say, grows thin ; 
in fact it is going to die. Now, say the Gallas, that 
animal will soon be dead, let us kill her to save her 
flesh. So the beast is slaughtered, and a feast ensues. 
It is probable that the greater portion of a niggard's 
meat comes to him in this way. 
Abajila, a supposed judge of such things, was ap- 
pointed to examine this beast, and declaring her 
fit for food, she was at once despatched. Such a 
scene followed as I hope will seldom fall to my lot to 
witness. No sooner was the knife drawn across the 
animal's throat than the Gallas, as many as could 
jamb their heads together within the necessary com- 
pass, fell first upon their knees, and then upon the 
beast's yawning neck, and sucked and sucked at the 
hot, living, gushing stream of blood until they could do 
so no longer. Then, covered with gore, smacking their 
lips, and quite out of breath, they rose to make room 
for others standing near and longing for the horrible 
draught. My flesh crept, and I felt as I never did be- 
fore ; my very hair stood on end ! Buiya was excited be- 
yond measure, evidently enjoying the thing greatly, his 
eyes aflame with savage light. I expressed to him my 
