104 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA, 
called Ozoro Tishai. Maize, the liquor of the 
country, was copiously circulated, the lady en- 
couraging Mr Salt both by invitation and exam- 
ple. The second interview was so long protract- 
ed, that our traveller could conclude it only by 
administering to his interpreter so copious a liba- 
tion, as to render him unfit for longer discharg- 
ing his functions. 
Mr Salt arrived at Antalo in time to be present 
at a grand review of the troops of Tigre, which 
were just returned from a campaign against the 
Galla. The chiefs, with their men, came succes- 
sively for this purpose into a large circular enclo- 
sure. The commanders were mostly in rich 
dresses, ornamented with gold and silver ; the 
men wore only skins, commonly of sheep, and 
had a fillet of skin round their head, with the 
hair standing up. After going seven or eight 
times round the enclosure, they rode up to the 
king, and, in a menacing attitude, threw down 
those shameful and barbarous trophies, by which 
the Abyssinians are accustomed to prove the 
number of enemies whom they have slain. The 
meanest soldier had an equal right to make this 
display as the highest chieftain. Their horse- 
manship was admirable, fully equal to that of the 
Arabs. Only 1500 had matchlocks 5 the rest 
were armed with spears only. 
