CHELICUT. 261 
in one of the larger views which I published, had been burnt to 
the ground by lightning, and another constructed in its place, 
with a circular dome resembling that of a mosque, by no means 
so well suited to the character of the landscape. The mules 
having been refreshed during our stay at Gibba carried us briskly 
forward, and, at ten o'clock, we gained the summit of a hill over- 
looking the vale of Chelicut. 
Here we waited, by appointment, for a deputation from the 
Kas, and, in a short time afterwards, two horsemen were seen 
galloping up the plain with a large troop of armed attendants. 
On their approach we descended into the valley, and were met by 
the two chiefs, Shalaka Selasse and Ayto Shiho, who, in honour 
of the mission, dismounted from their horses, and uncovered 
themselves to the waist as they came up to pay their compli- 
ments. The number of attendants increased every moment as 
we advanced to Chelicut, and, before we reached the gateway 
oftheRas's mansion, we found some difficulty in making our 
way. At length, with a great bustle and a confused clamour, 
which, on such occasions, is reckoned honorable to the guests, 
we were ushered into the presence of the Ras. All the chiefs 
who were present stood up uncovered on our entrance. The old 
man himself, who was seated on his couch, rose up with eager- 
ness to receive me, like a man suddenly meeting with a long 
lost friend, and, when I made my salutation, joy seemed to 
glisten in his eyes, while he welcomed me with an honest warmth 
and cordiality that nothing but genuine and undisguised feeling 
could inspire. A seat was immediately pointed out for me on his 
left hand, which is considered as the second place of distinction ; 
