NEGOTE 
^15 
stopped for the night. It is surrounded with very steep hills, with 
scarcely any interval of plain ground between them ; the water 
running only through narrow gullies. The sides of these hills are 
formed by walls into ridges for the purpose of cultivation, but the 
scanty soil that is upon them is poor and unproductive, and the 
whole country around has a very barren appearance. The princi- 
pal grain that is cultivated here is the Leoghe, of which Bruce has, 
by mistake, given a drawing instead of the Teff. This district of 
Bella sse is under Bashaw Guebra Eyut, and free of tribute. There 
is a toll established here for the kafilas, both as they go up and 
return, which, like all the others, is very irregular. It is at present 
in the hands of Ay to Isghe and Tecla Hamainout, who in conse- 
quence annually pays four matchlocks to the Ras. A horn of civet 
pays a quarter of a dollar, a slave the same, and loaded asses half 
a dollar each ; sometimes a piece of Surat cloth and a handful 
of pepper. The toll for men carrying burthens is the same as at 
Gella. There are said to be three of these Guebras, tolls, or bars, 
(as they may be most properly termed) between Dixan and Adowa, 
namely at Lughoe, Bellasse, and Gella; and at Adowa is a fourth. 
Nearly north ofNegote,and about six miles distant, is the mountain 
of Tucklee, which appears a post of considerable strength. It stands 
in the district of a chief in rebellion against the Ras, called Negale 
Hatze, to whom it has three times afforded a secure retreat against 
the troops of Basha Guebra Eyut, who has been as often sent 
against him by the orders of the Ras. The first symptom of his 
rebellious disposition was a refusal to go up to the presence, about 
four years ago, on receiving a command, to that effect, from the 
Ras; on which Basha Guebra Eyut, in consequence of holding a 
