ANTALOW. 147 
were put under the care of Pearce, who was then regularly engaged 
in his service. A singular request was made to us, with which, 
however, as we found him earnestly bent upon it, we complied. 
This was to swear, that whatever physic we left with him, should 
not poison him. This both Captain Rudland and I did, by laying 
hold of his hand, and declaring, " that in the presence of the God 
whom we both worshipped, we solemnly declared that the physic 
we then left with him, was for his benefit, and not to injure any 
one." Hamed Chamie afterwards swore by Mahomed as to the 
justness of his interpretation. This ceremony had a great effect upon 
the Ras ; he seemed perfectly happy in consequence, and declared 
that he should ever esteem the English as his best friends. From 
this it would appear, that great respect is paid here to the solemnity 
of an oath. 
♦ 
" After this I began upon the subject of our journey, pressing him 
very strongly to permit us to return by the way of Adowa, as I was 
extremely anxious to have another examination of the ancient ruins 
at Axum. It was a long time before I could obtain this point, and 
I should never have been able to accomplish it, if the Ras had not 
had a request to make in return, with which he was extremely 
desirous I should comply. This was, that I would make him a pre- 
sent of a blunderbuss, with a spring bayonet, which I had with me, 
belonging to Lord Valentia. I at first refused, on the plea, that this 
was the only thing not in my power to give away ; and on his urg- 
ing it a second time, I begged to defer resigning it till I arrived at 
Massowah. This would not satisfy him. He said, he was sure that 
Lord Valentia would let him have it with pleasure, when he knew 
how anxiously he desired it. Finding that no refusal would be taken^ 
VOL. III. u 
