TARANTA. 
^35 
with the Dancalli tribe, but are afraid of them. When they go to 
Massowah, they give two or three cows to the Nayib; and whatever 
is stolen from Habesh is taken to Massowah, where they receive, in 
heur of stolen property, Surat cloth, spear heads, and other articles 
from the Nayib, who monopolizes this scandalous traffick, and 
punishes any one who attempts to participate in it. 
*' My informant farther told me, that the Shiho tribe at Ham- 
hammo was two hundred strong ; that it spoke the language of the 
Hazorta; and was commanded by Shum Hamed, who lives at the 
village of Daghah. It has little communication with the latter, 
but if at any time the tribe molests the kafilas, it is always re- 
sented by the Hazorta. Near Hamazen, and subject to it, are two 
Christian tribes, Saharteh and Woggurta. There is plenty, of water 
all the year round at the foot of Taranta. 
I presented to this chief two pieces of cloth, two looking glasses, 
four knives, and a pair of scissars, some snuff, and a sash that I 
wore round my waist, to which he seemed to have a fancy. He 
was much delighted with these trifles, and professed that he should 
always regard the English as friends. 
" In the afternoon we had a messenger from Dixan, informing 
us that the Baharnegash would not leave the place till the morrow. 
We did not consider our present situation as a very pleasant one, 
there being too many of the Nayib's people at hand, as also a con- 
siderable number of the Hazorta, all of whom are alike in the habit 
of plundering ; I therefore ordered the mules to be prepared, and 
determined to go on to Assubah. 
" The moment our intention was made known, a hundred dif-' 
ticulties were started, and it seemed at once as if every soul in 
VOL. nr. H H 
