146 
ANTALOW. 
deserving man, and will not, I think, disgrace his country by cow- 
ardice or meanness. . 
"October^. — I spent this morning in making preparations for 
our journey, writing instructions for Pearce, and finishing some 
sketches of plants. At about three, I went, with Captain Rudland, 
down to the Ras. We found him in the farther yard, surrounded 
by a small party of his chiefs. He invited us to partake of their 
repast, as also Mr. Carter, whose conn)any he sent to request. 
We wxre, as usual, seated beside him, and were all much gratified 
with our entertainment. It being fast day we were regaled with 
several dishes of fish, which were excellent, and with parched 
wheat and peas, the former unripe : these constitute a considerable 
part of the Ras's food on all fast days. There were present the two 
great rivals, Baharnegash Yasous, and Subagadis, seated on opposite 
sides of the table ; but the latter was only in the second rank. It 
has generally been observed by us, that young men, even of the 
highest rank and consequence, are kept much in the back-ground 
when in presence of the Ras. 
Basha Abdallah was sent for by the Ras, that we might have 
some conversation with him ; it was entirely of a light description, 
not worthy of being recorded. The late Aboona's interpreter came 
to pay his respects to me ; he seemed to be in tolerable favour at 
court. On our taking leave, the Ras appointed a conference with us 
at an early hour on the morrow. 
October 3. — After taking coffee, about five we were informed 
that the Ras was ready to receive us. We entered upon the con- 
versation, by presenting him with as many of our medicines as we 
thought we could spare, which, after enumerating their several uses, 
