CHAP. X.] 
FAT1K0A LEVEE. 
285 
lead of the entire party. I had come to a distinct 
understanding with Ibrahim that Kamrasis country 
should belong to me; not an act of felony would be 
permitted ; all were to be under my government, and 
I would insure him at least 100 cantars of tusks. 
Eight miles of agreeable march through the usual 
park-like country brought us to the village of Fatiko, 
situated upon a splendid plateau of rock upon elevated 
ground, with beautiful granite cliffs, bordering a level 
table-land of fine grass that would have formed a race¬ 
course. The high rocks were covered with natives, 
perched, upon the outline like a flock of ravens. 
We halted to rest under some fine trees growing 
among large isolated blocks of granite and gneiss. 
In a short time the natives assembled around us : 
they were wonderfully friendly, and insisted upon a 
personal introduction to both myself and Mrs. Baker. 
We were thus compelled to hold a levee; not the 
passive and cold ceremony of Europe, but a most 
active undertaking, as each native that was introduced 
performed the salaam of his country, by seizing both 
my hands and raising my arms three times to their 
full stretch above my head. After about one hundred 
Fatikos had been thus gratified by our submission to 
this infliction, and our arms had been subjected to at 
least three hundred stretches each, I gave the order to 
saddle the oxen immediately, and we escaped a further 
proof of Fatiko affection that was already preparing, 
as masses of natives were streaming down the rocks 
hurrying to be introduced. Notwithstanding the 
fatigue of the ceremony, I took a great fancy to these 
poor people; they had prepared a quantity of merissa 
and a sheep for our lunch, which they begged us to 
remain and enjoy before we started ; but the pumping 
action of half a village not yet gratified by a pre¬ 
sentation was too much; and mounting our oxen, with 
aching shoulders we bade adieu to Fatiko. 
Descending the picturesque rocky hill of Fatiko, we 
entered upon a totally distinct country. We had now 
