An Account of the English Mission to King Johannis of Abyssinia in 1887

t of a bag of shining dollars had a greater effect than even the universal dread of the soldiery. On halting on the evening of the 3rd, I sent on one of the interpreters and a guide into the King's camp to warn the King and the brother of Ras Alula of my proximity. This latter person, by name Dejat Tesemma, was to be our " Balderabba " or host during our stay in the King's camp. The office of " Balderabba " is that of a sort of agent of communication between the stranger and the chief in whose camp he is a visitor. Our " Balderabba " was responsible for our safety, and was also charged to see that we did not escape from the King's camp without permission. In The King's Camp. At last at nine o'clock on the morning of the 4th of December we rode into the camp of the King of the Kings of Ethiopia, and a wonderful sight it was. As far as the eye could reach the plain was thickly dotted with small black tents and with little grass huts ; tens of thousands of horses, mules, and cows were grazing on every side, while the whole district seemed to be alive with moving swarms of armed men, and of women andslaves. In the centre of the plain were two large circular white tents, standing in an open space, inclosed by a paling covered with red cotton cloth ; these were the Head Quarters of the great King Johannis. On arrival in the camp we were met by a messenger, who informed me that to-day being Sunday the King would not see me, but that he would do so at Ashangi, whither ...