ANT A LOW. 117 
the Antalow road, in hopes of meeting Mr. Carter; but was disap- 
pointed. I returned about nine, and at the dinner hour attended 
the Ras. I had not seen the only man who was able to communi- 
cate a word with me in imperfect Arabic since yesterday morning, 
but was given to understand by the usual gestures, that the chief 
from Bure was about to return, and that Mr. Carter was not coming 
here at all ; and, as far as I was able to learn, the Ras meant to re- 
turn to Chelicut on Wednesday or Thursday. I supposed the Bure 
chief to be in the interest of the Nayib, which, in some measure, 
accounts for the sudden turn that affairs had taken ; but I resolved 
as soon as I could again make use of my tongue to the Ras, I would 
have it explained. We supped at eight ; during the meal the Ras 
invited me to accompany him in the morning on a hunting and 
fishing party. - 
" Tuesday, September 17. — My attendant, Guebra Eyatt, awoke 
me at half past three this morning by the Ras's order, and informed 
me that he was waiting for me in the hall. I hurried on my kaftan, 
and running down, found him surrounded by fifty of his slaves by 
the side of a large fire. Our mules were also ready harnessed in the 
hall. We set out about four, descended the hill by the church, and 
had proceeded across the valley in an eastern direction about four 
miles before day break. We passed the village of Bellimackdam, 
the inhabitants of which joined the party. The Ras knowing that 
I was in the habit of taking a cup of fresh milk every morning 
(without saying a word to me, for we now understood each other 
tolerably well in the eating and drinking way), ordered some to be 
brought. I took my usual draught ; but the Ras, thinking that after 
a time I should be glad of some more, ordered (without my know- 
