202 ADOWA/ 
panied with a letter from me, explaining to the Ras my sentiments 
on the subject, stating that I was willing, if it were his wish, to send 
all the mules back, except the one given me by Baharnegash Yasous. 
The letter was written and ready to be dispatched, when I was in- 
formed that, unless I made a present to the messenger (who was a 
brother of our guide's), he would not take it, but would go back 
with five mules. Being much incensed at this attempt to impose 
on me, I tore the letter in pieces, and desired all the Ras's servants 
to depart, and take the whole of his mules with them, declaring, 
that if five mules went, not one of the servants should stay with me. 
Before night they came to make their peace, expressed their sorrow 
for what had passed, and requested that another letter might be 
written. I referred them to Hamed Ghamie, saying, that I should 
not trouble him to write another, unless they could prevail on him 
from themselves to do so. 
" October Sil .— Guebra Selasse brought me another letter written 
by Hamed Ghamie, which was dispatched. I was engaged the whole 
of the day in making out a fair copy of the inscription at Axum, and 
in conversing with some of the inhabitants, and Gaptain Rudland 
was employed in writing the journal. Mr. Garter lost his Habesh 
cloth this morning, it being stolen^ while he was a few minutes 
absent, from the place where he had slept. 
" October 2,^. — This being the day appointed for our departure, 
we were all in readiness at an early hour, but had to wait a consi- 
derable time for Bash a Abdalluh, who had promised to pay us a 
visit before our departure. He came about eight o'clock, and proved 
a most welcome visitor, bringing us a packet from Lord Valentia, 
dated Mocha, 50th of August, which had found its way from Aitli 
