TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
hands, but no towel to dry them. Cakes were 
then served up of wheat, barley, millet, and taffo^ 
(teff). Next came the Imbandigioni, of which 
Alvarez dares scarcely speak, consisting of 
pieces of raw flesh with warm blood," a dish 
reckoned so exquisite as to be solely reserved for 
the leading men in the country. They were de- 
voured accordingly with delight by Angoteraz, 
and liberally offered to the guests, who, however, 
would on no account taste them, but adhered to 
their European cookery. The wine also " walked 
about with great fury/* and, in this part of the 
entertainment, the lady of the house, though con- 
cealed from view behind a curtain, took a most 
active share. 
After this entertainment, the embassy set out 
immediately for the court of the emperor. In 
their way they passed the celebrated mountain, 
on which the younger sons of the royal family are 
confined. ^ It is described as of vast compass ; so 
lofty and steep as to resemble a wall, with the 
sky resting on it. The party approaching too 
near, were advertised of their error by a shower 
of stones, which induced a precipitate retreat. 
They were assured that any one who should at- 
tempt to ascend would have his hands and feet 
cut off, and his eyes put out. The mountain is 
said to be of such vast compass, that fifteen days 
are required to perform the circuit of it. On its 
