482 ♦ ASSUBAH. 
"July 25.— -We resumed our journ^^ at an early hour, not- 
withstanding* the appearance of the sky foretold heavy rain. The 
road, which had been very perceptibly ascending all the way from 
Arkeko, now rose more rapidly; much elephants dung lay scat- 
tered about, anS the branches of most of the fig-trees were lopped 
off nearly to the top, to give an opportunity to the cattle of browz- 
ing on the leaves and tendef shoots, the grass being entirely burnt 
up :^ on the sides of the hills we perceived a few huts, and several 
of the inhabitants. 
" After a march of nearly two hours we reached a place called 
Assubah, where there was a burying ground. We saw here a few 
men attending a large herd of cattle, of whom we purchased, for 
four dollars, a cow to serve as provision for our people during the 
ascent of Taranta. In about a quarter of an hour more we reached 
our station at the foot of that mountain. We had now proceeded 
with our camels as far as the unevenness of the ground would per- 
mit, it was therefore necessary to seek for some other method of 
getting our baggage conveyed to Dixan. For this purpose we 
opened a negociation for the use of some bullocks, with some of the 
Hazorta tribe, who inhabit the mountains ; but not being able to 
agree on terms, we procured only one of these animals, and finally 
concluded a bargain with some men and boys, for the conveyance 
of our packages on their shoulders. During this transaction a man 
of some consequence among them, called Sheik Ummar, had been 
making a demand of tobacco, coffee, &;c. for allowing us to pass the 
mountain ; this claim not being mentioned to me immediately by 
those to whom the chief had stated it, he thought himself neglected, 
rose up in a violent passion, and seizing his spear and shield, rushed 
