LOGO SEREMAI. 
247, 
tended to be engaged, with apparent unconcern^ in smoking a 
hookah. At this time it became a picturesque, though some- 
what alarming, sight, to see the parties winding down from 
among the hills ; and, as tliey descended into the valley, we 
could clearly distinguish that they were all armed either with 
spears or matchlocks. At length, after about a quarter of an 
hour's suspense, one of the parties came forward, consisting of 
Baharnegash Arkoe and about twenty of his soldiers, and it 
was followed up by about one hundred and fifty more of the 
most desperate and rascally-looking fellows I ever beheld, many 
of them being scarred with wounds received in former adventures* 
The chief, equally unpolished in his appearance, accosted us at 
first without the shghtest ceremony, taking us, probably, for a 
cafila of traders ; but on recognising Mr. Pearce and Bebib, he 
expressed much surprise at seeing them, became somewhat more 
civil in his deportment, and shewed evident marks of being dis- 
concerted, when he found that we were the Ras's strangers^ and 
under his immediate protection. Shortly afterwards he turned 
to me, and asked rather peremptorily for my hookah, holding 
out his hand at the same time to lay hold of it. This I immedi- 
ately refused, on a private hint given me by Mr. Pearce ; and 
Ay to Debib, on this occasion, assuming all the consequence 
which his situation conferred, reprimanded the Baharnegash for 
his boldness, explaining to him, that I was the messenger of a 
sovereign whom the Ras considered as his own equal.'* All this 
made its due impression, and the chief shortly afterwards rose 
up hastily, calling out to his soldiers to follow him, adding in a 
lower tone, " it won't do, we had better let them alone.'' With 
