XVIII 
OPENING BATTLES AROUND EJAHYAY 
When Areh heard that I had arrived, he sent 
to say that he would not eat until he had seen 
me. This was equivalent to an order. I was 
secretly conducted by many little doors, courts 
and passages to the centre of his vast compound. 
I found him lying on a mat under the shade of a 
tree attended by one trusty servant only. He 
questioned me very closely in regard to what I 
had learned of Ogumulla’s intentions and about 
his army. Not wishing to be a partisan in the 
matter and desirous of illustrating a Christian 
spirit before him, I respectfully asked him to ex¬ 
cuse me from giving him any information of a 
military character. He then tried to make me 
say that Ogumulla was a very bad man, but I 
replied that we were all wicked in the sight of 
God. He seemed to be entirely nonplussed, and 
after expressing his surprise at my way of 
putting things, he dismissed me without a pres¬ 
ent. This showed that he was not at all pleased. 
But I did not feel afraid that he would do me any 
harm. He did not look at any time as he did 
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