HAZORTA ENCAMPMENT. 475 
relieved soon after, by the arrival of an Abyssinian Christian with 
ten mules in his charge, from Dixan. He was sent, by the express 
command of the Ras, to convey us and our baggage, with all possi- 
ble speed, to his presence at Antalow, and the strictest orders had 
been issued to ensure our personal safety during the remainder of 
the journey. On receiving this welcome intelligence, I called the 
chief of the Ascari to me, and acquainting him with what had 
happened, gave him and his followers full liberty to quit us as 
soon as they pleased. This they none of them chose to do; but 
finding that all hopes of obtaining any thing by force were now at 
an end, they promised better behaviour for the future ; upon which 
we consented to their continuing with us. 
" By this time it was ten o'clock, and the intense heat of the day 
induced us to defer our journey for a few hours ; we therefore hired, 
for a little coffee, the hut belonging to the Sheik of the tribe near 
which we had encamped: it was just large enough to hold our two 
beds,* which we covered with mats, and thus obtained a comfort- 
able retreat from the rays of the sun. The old Sheik and his wife 
paid us many begging visits in the course of the day, with which 
we could readily have dispensed, as the lady was neither young 
nor handsome, and possessed a most invincible volubility of tongue. 
Before our departure she came in to examine all her valuables, and 
gave us a vociferous scolding for having drank some water without 
leave. 
" This tribe seem to fare tolerably well; they have milk and 
butter, and a fruit called Gersa, which when boiled greatly resem- 
* Two small beds taken from our sea cots, which Captain Rudland and myself had 
found very serviceable to us. 
VOL. n. 3 p 
