The reception that we experienced at the hands of the virago1 who owned this comfortless hovel, had been neither hospitable2 nor flattering. In the temporary absence of her husband, the wrinkled beldame considered herself to be vested with charge of the hamlet, and for a full hour after our arrival, standing3 in the dark porch of her adjacent house, she had exerted her cracked voice in a tissue of shrill4 comments levelled against the impropriety of entering private demesnes unannounced. The first crowing of the cock invited a renewal5 of her far from melodious6 clamour, and it was not silenced without much difficulty, even by the jingle7 of silver crowns.
The road now descended8 to the Umptoo, a rapid stream, with a broad stony9 bed, which rises in the lofty mountain Asságud. Cotton, in its most perfect state of cultivation10, clothed all the level terraces. The papyrus11, here, as in Egypt, designated pheela, fringed the banks of the stream in close thick patches; the honey-sucker, arrayed in green and gold, flashed in the morning sun, as it darted12 among the flowering acacias; birds of rare plumage filled the tangled13 brushwood; and the fantastic forms of the circumjacent mountains enhanced the beauty of the wild scene. But every man’s hand was armed for strife14. The peasant carried spear and shield, and wore the sword girded to his loins; and the site of his habitation had been carefully selected with a long look-out on all sides as a precaution against attack and invasion.
Leaving the bed of the river, which measured some eighty yards across, the path ascended16 a ridge17 running east and west, and deriving18 its appellation19 from the conspicuous20 peaks of Golultee and Demsee. To the eastward21, through a wide gap in the mountains, could be seen a long reach of the Airára, now expanded into a noble river, by the junction22 of the Umptoo, and glittering under its numberless channels, which bear in the rains a vast volume of water to the Casam, to be poured eventually into the Háwash. From the summit of the pass in the direction of Ankóber, a strange view extended for a distance of thirty or forty miles—a broken abyss of hill tops seeming as though the waves of the troubled ocean had been suddenly petrified23 in their progress—Mamrat, the monster billow, shewing above all in the far horizon, as the last barrier arrested in fall career.
The belt of rugged24 hills of limestone25 slate26, through which the course lay, is an almost uninhabited waste of neutral ground, forming the boundary betwixt the Christian27 and Moslem28 subjects of Shoa. A few goats alone found a sufficiency of food among the scanty29 leaves of the now withered30 acacias; and the human denizens31 of the soil were wild as their rocky mountains. Fleeing at the approach of the white men, they took up a secure position on the very summit of the loftiest peaks, and looked down with evident mistrust upon the cavalcade32, which was sufficiently33 well armed, and formidable in point of number, to instil34 terror into the bosom35 of all conscious of the wrath36 of princes, and of tribute rashly withheld37. The termination of this sultry range forms an abutment upon the country of the Ada?el, whence is derived38 all the sulphur employed in the manufacture of gunpowder39 in the royal arsenals40; and specimens41 which were picked up by the way would lead to the inference that the vein42 continued even beyond the point at which we crossed.
Like that of the Umptoo, the bed of the Korie, another tributary43 of the Casam, to which the road next descended, is bordered with luxuriant cotton cultivation, and in many parts overgrown with tangled papyrus. Shut in by a deep valley, it threads the mountainous district of Dingai-terri, and many wild bananas were seen luxuriating on its moist banks. The dusty path led on through a jungle composed chiefly of a bastard44 description of the Balm of Gilead, which being crushed under the foot, scented45 the whole atmosphere. On our arrival near the Moslem cemetery46, below Kittel Yellish, the civility of the governor of the district was evinced in the display, on skins beneath the trees, of every article considered necessary for Christian sustenance47 during this most holy season of Lent—bread, beer, and water proving truly acceptable to the Abyssinian followers48, already much distressed49 by the intense heat of a nearly vertical50 sun, to which they were so little inured51. A wild roguish-looking Moslem dervish, decked in a rosary of large brown berries, and carrying a staff of truly portentous52 dimensions, here introduced himself as an acquaintance made many months previously53 at Dathára, upon which grounds he considered himself entitled to share in the repast. Leading a roving and an idle life, and armed with scrip and water-flagon, he had for years subsisted54 upon the alms of the superstitious55 followers of the Prophet; and if judgment56 might be formed from his sleek57 exterior58, they had not been niggard of their contributions.
Grey, water-worn precipices59, with deep semicircular basins at their base, now flanked the road, a formation of limestone occasionally out-cropping beneath a thick stratum60 of basalt. After crossing the bed of the Meynso, we gained a more level tract61, over which a gallop62 of five miles led to Dummakoo, one of the royal granaries, where, by His Majesty’s commands, our head-quarters were to be established. This village, constructed on a knoll63 three thousand feet below the level of Ankóber, is situated64 in a fine, open, undulating country, well populated, and intersected by numerous milk-bush hedges. Richly-cultivated, and fanned by a cool breeze, it afforded a most agreeable contrast to the barren sultry hills through which the greater part of our course had lain. The lofty range of Mentshar and Bulga, rising to an extinguisher-like cone65 called Megásus, was the principal feature in the landscape; and at the foot of these mountains, which abound66 in coal, sinks the valley of the Casam, which was to form the scene of coming operations.
One of the king’s numerous magazines for grain and farm produce extends its long barn-like front in the centre of the hamlet, every house of which is screened by a tall green hedge; and that the safety of the royal stores has been alone consulted in the selection of the site, is sufficiently proved by the fact of the inhabitants being compelled to drive their cattle many miles on either side for their daily draught67 of water, whilst the long-tressed Mohammadan damsels are fain to trudge68 with a heavy jar at their back to a remote pool, carefully fenced and barricadoed.
All agricultural operations connected with the royal farm at Berhut, are annually69 performed by the surrounding population en masse. Several heavy showers which had recently fallen having fully15 prepared the ground for the reception of the seed, a vast concourse of rustics70 had collected from the entire district—the inhabitants of each hamlet bringing their own oxen and implements71 of husbandry; so that in the course of a very few hours many hundred acres, already ploughed, were sown and harrowed by their united efforts, the praises of the despot being loudly sung throughout the continuance of the tributary labour, which is similarly exacted in all parts of the kingdom.
On the crop arriving at maturity72, a sheaf is cut and presented in token of joy to the governor of the district. The reaping and threshing again call for the assembly of the agricultural population; and the harvest-home having been celebrated73 with suitable festivity, the accessions to the royal granaries are duly registered by scribes delegated on the part of the crown.
Upon a rising ground about a mile from Dummakoo, is held the monthly market of the district. Tradition asserts that one of the inhabitants of a neighbouring hamlet saw in a dream that the Imám Abdool Kádur, appearing upon this hill, picked up a stone, and in a loud voice proclaimed that the spot belonged henceforth to himself; and no sooner had the pious74 disciple75 of the Prophet declared his vision, than the site was adopted by the unanimous voice of the assembled multitude for the celebration of the bazaar76, which, in the lapse77 of a few generations, has become one of considerable importance.
Almost immediately upon our arrival I received a visit from Habti Mariam, (i.e. “The property of the Virgin”) the vice-governor, whose residence is at Wurdoo, the principal village of the Berhut district. He explained that his non-appearance to escort the party from Ankóber had arisen from severe ophthalmia, contracted during a recent visit to the hot low country. Some very potent79 amulets80 had been now attached to various parts of his body in order to remove the disorder81; and the good man was moreover provided with a large raw onion, with which he rubbed his eyes alternately during the interview.
It has already been mentioned that the influence of Wulásma Mohammad extends along the whole of the Moslem districts of the eastern frontier; and it had now been advantageously exerted in the despatch82 of a body of his immediate78 retainers, commanded first to announce to the Ada?el on the border our intention of visiting their country, and afterwards to escort us thither83. In order to counteract84 any offensive demonstration85 to which this unusual excursion might give rise, Habti Mariam had issued orders to assemble his levy86, in accordance with strict injunctions received from his royal master to secure the safety of his “European children,” upon penalty of loss of liberty and government. The greatest difficulty was, however, experienced in persuading his followers to undertake the much-dreaded journey to the lower regions, as well from their unanimous detestation of the intense heat, as their innate88 dread87 of the lawless population; and he was finally compelled to put them to the blush by a declaration of his resolve to perform the king’s behest at all risks in his own person; when a handful of the boldest setting the example, the lists were speedily filled to the number of two hundred and fifty, which force had been considered by the Negoos as sufficient for the excursion.
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1 virago | |
n.悍妇 | |
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2 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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3 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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4 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
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5 renewal | |
adj.(契约)延期,续订,更新,复活,重来 | |
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6 melodious | |
adj.旋律美妙的,调子优美的,音乐性的 | |
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7 jingle | |
n.叮当声,韵律简单的诗句;v.使叮当作响,叮当响,押韵 | |
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8 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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9 stony | |
adj.石头的,多石头的,冷酷的,无情的 | |
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10 cultivation | |
n.耕作,培养,栽培(法),养成 | |
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11 papyrus | |
n.古以纸草制成之纸 | |
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12 darted | |
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔 | |
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13 tangled | |
adj. 纠缠的,紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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14 strife | |
n.争吵,冲突,倾轧,竞争 | |
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15 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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16 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17 ridge | |
n.山脊;鼻梁;分水岭 | |
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18 deriving | |
v.得到( derive的现在分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
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19 appellation | |
n.名称,称呼 | |
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20 conspicuous | |
adj.明眼的,惹人注目的;炫耀的,摆阔气的 | |
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21 eastward | |
adv.向东;adj.向东的;n.东方,东部 | |
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22 junction | |
n.连接,接合;交叉点,接合处,枢纽站 | |
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23 petrified | |
adj.惊呆的;目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆,使惊呆;变僵硬;使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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24 rugged | |
adj.高低不平的,粗糙的,粗壮的,强健的 | |
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25 limestone | |
n.石灰石 | |
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26 slate | |
n.板岩,石板,石片,石板色,候选人名单;adj.暗蓝灰色的,含板岩的;vt.用石板覆盖,痛打,提名,预订 | |
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27 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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28 Moslem | |
n.回教徒,穆罕默德信徒;adj.回教徒的,回教的 | |
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29 scanty | |
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的 | |
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30 withered | |
adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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31 denizens | |
n.居民,住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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32 cavalcade | |
n.车队等的行列 | |
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33 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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34 instil | |
v.逐渐灌输 | |
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35 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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36 wrath | |
n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒 | |
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37 withheld | |
withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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38 derived | |
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
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39 gunpowder | |
n.火药 | |
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40 arsenals | |
n.兵工厂,军火库( arsenal的名词复数 );任何事物的集成 | |
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41 specimens | |
n.样品( specimen的名词复数 );范例;(化验的)抽样;某种类型的人 | |
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42 vein | |
n.血管,静脉;叶脉,纹理;情绪;vt.使成脉络 | |
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43 tributary | |
n.支流;纳贡国;adj.附庸的;辅助的;支流的 | |
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44 bastard | |
n.坏蛋,混蛋;私生子 | |
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45 scented | |
adj.有香味的;洒香水的;有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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46 cemetery | |
n.坟墓,墓地,坟场 | |
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47 sustenance | |
n.食物,粮食;生活资料;生计 | |
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48 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
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49 distressed | |
痛苦的 | |
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50 vertical | |
adj.垂直的,顶点的,纵向的;n.垂直物,垂直的位置 | |
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51 inured | |
adj.坚强的,习惯的 | |
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52 portentous | |
adj.不祥的,可怕的,装腔作势的 | |
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53 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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54 subsisted | |
v.(靠很少的钱或食物)维持生活,生存下去( subsist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
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56 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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57 sleek | |
adj.光滑的,井然有序的;v.使光滑,梳拢 | |
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58 exterior | |
adj.外部的,外在的;表面的 | |
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59 precipices | |
n.悬崖,峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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60 stratum | |
n.地层,社会阶层 | |
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61 tract | |
n.传单,小册子,大片(土地或森林) | |
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62 gallop | |
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔;飞速发展 | |
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63 knoll | |
n.小山,小丘 | |
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64 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
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65 cone | |
n.圆锥体,圆锥形东西,球果 | |
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66 abound | |
vi.大量存在;(in,with)充满,富于 | |
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67 draught | |
n.拉,牵引,拖;一网(饮,吸,阵);顿服药量,通风;v.起草,设计 | |
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68 trudge | |
v.步履艰难地走;n.跋涉,费力艰难的步行 | |
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69 annually | |
adv.一年一次,每年 | |
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70 rustics | |
n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 );粗野的;不雅的;用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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71 implements | |
n.工具( implement的名词复数 );家具;手段;[法律]履行(契约等)v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 );执行;贯彻;使生效 | |
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72 maturity | |
n.成熟;完成;(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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73 celebrated | |
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
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74 pious | |
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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75 disciple | |
n.信徒,门徒,追随者 | |
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76 bazaar | |
n.集市,商店集中区 | |
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77 lapse | |
n.过失,流逝,失效,抛弃信仰,间隔;vi.堕落,停止,失效,流逝;vt.使失效 | |
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78 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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79 potent | |
adj.强有力的,有权势的;有效力的 | |
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80 amulets | |
n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
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81 disorder | |
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
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82 despatch | |
n./v.(dispatch)派遣;发送;n.急件;新闻报道 | |
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83 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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84 counteract | |
vt.对…起反作用,对抗,抵消 | |
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85 demonstration | |
n.表明,示范,论证,示威 | |
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86 levy | |
n.征收税或其他款项,征收额 | |
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87 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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88 innate | |
adj.天生的,固有的,天赋的 | |
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