'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎81] (213/268)

EMPEBOB THEODORES OF ABYSSINIA.
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and female. The whole army is divided into four divisions, which
always encamp round the Court in separate regiments, the
favourite division being placed on the right side of the King. Most of
the troops on this occasion had not their tents with them, so that
every day the soldiers had to build grass huts for themselves. These
huts are constructed with wonderful rapidity and with great attention
to order and neatness, the huts of the privates being arranged in a
circle with the huts or tents of the Officers in the centre. Every time
they march, though it be only for a mile or two, the soldiers set fire to
their huts, so that on leaving a place hardly any trace of the encamp
ment is left.
On the morning of the 31st they marched from Sakala to Bugata in
the Metcha District, The King’s tent was here pitched on the top of a
high hill overlooking parts of the Districts of Damont and of Metcha.
These unhappy districts are under the wrath of His Majesty for having
proved rebellious, and consequently he has determined to destroy
them and leave them a waste, as a warning to the disobedient.
For the first two days of the march Mr. Bassam and his companions
had tollowed in the rear of the army. As the King found that they
had been considerably inconvenienced by the crowding and turmoil of
the troops, he on the third day (1st February) invited them to ride
with him at the head of the army. The king rides most gracefully,
and it was a fine sight to see the whole army following him at a rapid
pace, stopping when he stopped, and turning to the right or the left
as he turned, as though the movements of this great mass had been
directed by machinery. Those who rode with His Majesty were
has Fngada, Mr. Rassam, Dr. Blanc* Mr. Prideaux, Samuel, and the
King s arm-bearers. On the march the King showed himself extremely
kind and hospitable, sending them rations from his kitchen, and
directing their tents to be pitched near his own on a spot which he
himself pointed out-
Next day (2nd February) they marched soon after sunrise, and
a kout 1000 yards from the encamping ground came to the river Abai
(the source of the Blue Nile). His Majesty crossed the river on foot,
an d made Mr. Bassam and his companions ride, but as Mr. Bassam’s
111 u le found it difficult to carry hirn up the opposite bank, which was
^ ee p, the King told him to dismount, and while he was trying to climb
le k ai dv, condescendingly caught him by the arm and pulled him up,
11 hg