ABHA. 
9 
without uncovering to the waist, nor is he addressed by any one ex- 
cept in a whisper, with the mouth covered and applied close to his 
ear. Soon after we had been seated, he gave us plenty of hydromel, 
and seemed to think that we did not make sufficiently free, though 
some of our party were so complaisant, as to drink two bruihes* 
full; he also treated us with cakes covered with curds. He told 
me that he was originally much attached to Ras Michael Suhul, 
and suppUed him with a large tribute in kind, but having had 
some disturbance with a neighbouring tribe, the Ras came with an 
army and burned down the whole of his town. It had been after* 
wards rebuilt by him, but was destroyed a second time, and for a 
similar reason, by Ras Welleta Selasse, about eight years ago: he 
farther mentioned, that he was at Gondar before the war broke 
out between Ras Michael Suhul and Waragna Fasil, and that his 
brother was present at the battle of Damot, fought between those 
parties. He was very urgent that we should spend the ensuing day 
with him, it being one of their fast days, promising, on our com- 
pliance, to see us safe on our way to the Ras. Guebra Eyut, a boy 
belonging to the Ras, having mentioned to our servants that the 
hope of obtaining a handsome present was the only reason for the 
Baharnegash's pressing our stay, and that he knew the Ras was 
most anxious for our arrival at Antalow, I sent for Hadjee Hamed 
and Negada Moosa, and after some conversation resolved to follow 
their advice, which was to take my departure the next morning ; 
when I informed the Baharnegash of my intention, he remonstrated 
much against it, but with politeness, and promised to send his son 
to attend us. 
* Venetian glass decanters holding about a pint. 
