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these occasions were thrown before the Ras,* at his encampment, 
under the high fortress of Zingilla. This victory was obtained 
with only the trifling loss of thirty-five of his men, and two 
chiefs of no very great consequence, Chelika Murdoo and Ay to 
Guebra Mehedin, who were killed in the outset of the action. 
Among other advantages accruing from this victory was the 
capture of one of the wives of Gojee, his musical band, and an 
immense train of female attendants, with various utensils for 
cooking. 
On the 27th, the strong hold of Zingilla surrendered, by the 
taking of which, five and twenty Abyssinian chiefs of some note 
were released, who had been held in confinement by Gojee : 
among these was Degusmati Tumro, Governor of the pro- 
vince of Begemder, who has, since that time, been strongly 
attached to the Ras. At this station the troops halted for two 
days, when the drum was again beat to arms ; and the troops 
advanced a few miles, until they came to the brink of a precipice, 
which Mr. Pearce described to be the steepest he had ever seen, 
commanding an extensive prospect over the plains of the Edjow. 
Here the troops remained encamped for seven days, sending out 
parties, in every direction, in search of plunder, which were 
perpetually engaged in partial skirmishes with the enemy. The 
Abyssinian name for soldiers engaged in this irregular species of 
warfare is Worari. 
On the 5th February, 1808, the army was put in motion, and 
* This horrible custom (if it be not borrowed from the Jews) is probably of Galla 
origin, and is eariy mentioned, as being practised on the East coast of Africa. Vide De 
Bry, 1599, " De Caffrorum militi^. Victores, victis, ceesis et captis pudenda excidunt, 
quae exsiccata regi in leliquorura procerum presentio offerunt," &c. 
