ANTALOW. 
151 
head in the lap of Ozoro Esther, whispering in her ear, and another 
chief was endeavouring to interpret between Captain Rudland and 
Ozoro Romai. There seemed indeed very Httle restraint among 
them ; and I do not doubt that they carry their famiharity much 
farther, when perfectly at liberty in the houses of mutual friends. 
We waited till the return of the Ras, paid our compliments, and 
retired. 
" October 7. — We were engaged as usual, in drawing and writing, 
and in the evening paid a visit to the Ras, who was at his old occu- 
pation, chess. He was in higher spirits than in general, and invited 
us to stay supper with him : many ladies of rank w^ere present, but 
Ozoro Romai was distinguished above all, by being seated on the 
Ras's couch. I understood she was only the mistress of Tecla Georgis, 
who for a short time filled the throne : she was fair, and possessed 
some remains of beauty. The discourse was, as usual, perfectly un- 
restrained. The old Ras encouraged the freedom of conversation; 
he also himself offered Captain Rudland an Ozoro if he would 
stay in the country. On that gentleman's answering that he would 
return to him, " I fear," said the Ras, " that I shall be dead before 
that time." After supper, one of our Arab attendants, Seid, highly 
amused the Ras and his ladies, by the performance of some slight- 
of-hand tricks, with swords and staves, at which the Arabs are ex- 
tremely expert. The Ras was indeed so much gratified, that he tried 
much to persuade him to stay in the country^ making him many 
promises ; to all of which he remained obdurate, saying, " where my 
master goes, I will go ; if he does not stay, I will not, though I should 
receive a thousand dollars." The evening, upon the whole, was 
passed very pleasantly, with great glee and merriment. 
