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CHAPTER IX. 
After leaving the Ras at Antalo, we proceeded towards 
Chelicut ; and, on our arrival at that place, completed the 
preparations for our journey to the coast. On the following day 
I attended the baptism of a Bedowee boy, at that time living as 
servant with Mr. Pearce, whom we had persuaded to become a 
convert to the Christian faith, not only with the view of benefit- 
ingthe poor boy, but also from being desirous, by this last act, of 
making an impression on the minds of the Abyssinians favourable 
to the British character. I had previously, by the distribution of 
a few presents, gained the sanction of his friends ; and the boy 
himself was delighted with the change^ owing to the inconve- 
niences to which he had been subjected from being a Musselmaun. 
This ceremony took place on the 5th, at day-break ; an early 
hour being considered as requisite, on account of the subsequent 
celebration of the sacrament of the communion, which can only 
be administered fasting. 
On reaching the church, we found the head priest, Abou Barea, 
with about twenty priests of an inferior order, waiting in a small 
area about thirty yards from the spot, some of whom were 
engaged in chaunting psalms, while the rest were busy in pre- 
paring the water and making other necessary arrangements for 
the occasion. At sun-rise, every thing being ready, an atten- 
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