ANTALOW. 
59 
qj .^.number of his chiefs, who had been long waiting at the door for 
an audience. The happy turn which this conference had effected in 
our favour, was Hkewise very gratifying to our whole party. 
** September 5.-- -We passed this day in our apartment, the Ras 
being assiduously engaged in deciding causes of considerable im- 
portance. He indeed gives up the greater part of every morning 
to hearing the complaints of his subjects, over whom he rules 
with most absolute sway, as their lives and property depend en- 
tirely upon his nod. The parties who appear before him are very 
vociferous, and, when provoked by their opponents, often employ 
such violent gesticulations, that one would suppose, that at times, 
even the presence of the Ras would scarcely withhold them from 
proceeding to blows. 
Baharnegash Yasous paid us a visit in the morning with permis- 
sion from the Ras, and was treated by us with all the attention in 
our power. He was about to return to Dixan, not daring to stay 
any longer at Antalow without the consent of the Ras, of whom he 
stood greatly in awe. I made him a present of ten dollars for his 
expenses on the road, informing him that I was afraid of parting 
with more, lest I should be unable to supply my ow^n wants. He 
was very grateful for this trifle, and made many professions of 
friendship, the sincerity of which I had no reason to question. It is 
a remarkable circumstance, that two of our best friends, Yasous, 
and Subagadis, were bitter enemies. We had some reason to fear 
that poor Yasous, during his stay at Antalow, had been but slenderly 
provided, even wilh food ; for he sent to us several times for bread ; 
a fact which indicates in how abject a state all ranks are kept by the 
present governor of Tigre. Hadjee Hamed paid us a short visit, and 
VOL. III. I 
