536 TARANTA. 
the neighbourhood was concerned in our detention. The Hazorta 
fled to their arms, and took possession of the pass, threaten- 
ing us if we dared to proceed ; the Mussulmauns in the kafilas, 
Shum Ummar, and two of the Nayib's Ascaries (old acquaintance) 
advised us not to move, as night was coming on, for we should 
certainly be attacked, and all cut off by the Bedowee. They as- 
sured us, moreover, that there was no water on the road, and no 
food for our mules. Guebra Selasse declared that he would not 
stir, and our bearers to a man refused to proceed. Hamed Chamie 
came to me in great alarm, entreating that we would stay, as he 
was sure some harm would ensue. If we had now given up our 
purpose, it would have had so much the appearance of fear, that 
even from a regard to prudence we determined to persist. We 
laughed at Hamed Chamie's fears, desired the Nayib's people only 
to give their advice when it was asked, brought Guebra Selasse 
over, by telling him that he was no soldier ; and partly by taunts, 
and partly by promises of reward, prevailed upon a great number 
of our bearers to take up their loads. Mr. Carter, incensed at some 
detention he met with from Shum Ummar, dismounted from his 
mule, and marched forward on foot by the Hazorta, who seemed 
chiefly to have an eye on our baggage. 
" 1 was now informed by Shum Ummar, that the chief who 
headed the party which stood ready to oppose our passage, had 
lately been made desperate by the death of some relation, and that 
he wished to make up for his loss by obliging us to pay tribute. 
Shum Ummar accordingly went to him with a goat in his hand to 
appease him, and we advanced. A violent scuffle now ensued ; one 
party of the Hazorta attempting to attack us, and the other, headed 
