52 
TRAVELS IN ABYSiSlNIA. 
call, a small kingdom on the south-east of Abys- 
sinia, not far from the Straits of BabelmandeL 
Here Lobo was led, in a few days, though by a 
somewhat difficult track, to the residence of the 
king, who had been instructed by the Abyssinian 
monarch to gave him a good reception. The 
missionaries found him in his capital, being a 
village of six tents and twenty cabins. His re- 
sidence, which stood at a little distance from the 
rest, consisted of a single apartment ; on one side 
of which dwelt the monarch, and on the other his 
horse, which, in this country, is considered as al- 
ways entitled to the same roof with its master. 
He professed the most friendly disposition, and 
assured them that they might consider this coun- 
try as their own. When they drew forth their 
present, however, he scornfully rejected it, as 
inadequate to his dignity ; though, on declaring 
that it was utterly impossible to give more, he 
was fain, with a very bad grace, to accept it. 
From that time they experienced much ill treat- 
ment from the inhabitants, and provisions were 
even withheld ; all which they easily traced to 
the king*s anxiety to extract from them gifts to 
the utmost possible amount. They judged it 
necessary, therefore, to make a warm remon- 
strance, and to threaten making a report of this 
treatment to the emperor. This produced the 
desired effect they obtained provisions, and 
