DIXAN. 
491 
their contents, he should be glad of some mformation respecting 
the object of my coming. I replied, that the English was a very 
powerful nation, which had complete command of the sea ; and that 
an English nobleman, then at Mocha, had sent me for the purpose 
of promoting an intercourse of friendship with Abyssinia; which, 
if properly encouraged, could not fail of proving most beneficial to 
the whole country. I was induced thus far to explain myself, not 
only from the generally friendly manner in which he had behaved 
towards us, but also to secure his good offices in furtherance 
of our views. He expressed his entire satisfaction with my com- 
munication, and proceeded to inform me, that it was necessary to 
write immediately to Basha Abdallah, Secretary to Nebred Araur, 
Governor of Adowa, stating what animals we should want for our 
own riding, and for carrying our baggage, which, on my requisition, 
would be immediately sent down; that he himself had only three 
mules, but that they were all at our service. I told him, whatever 
had been arranged by the Ras, would meet with my hearty con- 
currence and begged that he would hasten the messenger; and 
also urge to Basha Abdallah the necessity of sending the mules as 
speedily as posible, since I was obliged soon to return to Massowah. 
Accordingly I wrote a letter, which he promised to dispatch imme- 
diately, requesting to be furnished with twenty-five mules; to 
which I was led to expect an answer in six days. For the carriage 
of the letter I paid two dollars. I found the Baharnegash himself was 
under orders to attend me up to the Ras, which he professed he 
should do with pleasure. I was informed that, after we had as- 
cended the mountain of Taranta, the natives, headed by that rascal 
the Nayib's guide, had assembled for the purpose of detaining 
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