In the absence of a standing1 army, it is truly astonishing by what magic spell the inhabitants of these remote portions of His Majesty’s dominions2 are bound to his rule. Owing to the difficulties inseparable from the introduction of an armed force for their chastisement3, and the inaccessible4 nature of their fastnesses, no situation could be more favourable5 to revolt and to rebellion. But it is obvious that the wily policy of government will prove successful, so long as the fear of the Galla is strong in the breast both of Christian6 and Mohammadan, and so long as the name of Sáhela Selássie shall continue to act as a potent7 talisman8 upon all the savage9, turbulent, and refractory10 spirits who people his disunited empire.
During the early portion of the night, the shrill11 crowing, as of an hundred cocks, might have induced the belief that the wild camp stood in the neighbourhood of Ankóber, where chanticleer taxes his throat almost incessantly12; but the sound to which the wild hills now rung was soon ascertained13 to proceed from the Amhára pickets14. With a view to compensate15 in some measure for the brief sojourn16 conceded to us in the low country, we were hurried off the moment the morning star appeared, in order to beleaguer17 a field of reeds occupying the bed of the Casam. It was said by the governor to terminate in a cul de sac, and to be one great den18 of lions, no fewer than eight having fallen under the spears of the Ada?el in an attack made some years previously19. Our path traversed the deep broken bed of the river, the lofty castellated walls of which, rising sternly in the moonlight, were garrisoned20 by a legion of baboons21, and before dawn we halted on a sheet of bare rock, over which a small stream of water fell by a time-worn channel into a deep dark basin;—many hundred acres of tall waving flags, interspersed22 by shady tamarind trees, stretching away over the long reach beyond.
But the capabilities23 of the place proved to have been greatly exaggerated; and, although certainly harbouring a vast number of the felinae, it was far too extensive and too tangled—too impervious24 to man, and too unassailable by fire—to admit even of a chance of success. An agazin and an oryx, of which numbers fled in all directions, were hunted down by the host of retainers, aided by their dogs. A feeble attempt was then made to dislodge the inmates26 of the wide covert27, by a general screaming and clattering28 of shields on the outskirts29; and this notable display of venerie being concluded without any good result, the cavalcade30 wended its way homeward.
Mounting on the left side, with the assistance of his spear, the Amhára, when in the saddle, does not by any means ride well. Frequent falls are precluded31 by the high bulwarks32 of wood and leather which fortify33 his position; but his seat is awkward and ungainly: and few cavaliers can be said to possess the noble science of equitation. Whilst violently kicking with the naked shanks, and retaining the stirrup in the grasp of the great toe, they tug34 violently at the cruel and barbarous bit to urge the horse to speed; and the blood is presently to be seen streaming from the mouth, as the tortured animal tosses its head in agony.
The bridle35 is especially powerful and severe; long cheeks being attached to an indented36 bit, whilst a solid iron ring embraces the lower jaw37, and acts like a tightened38 curb39. The saddle is of Tartar form, and consists of two light splinters, which leave a clear space for the spine40, and connect a high wooden pommel for the suspension of the shield, with a cantle equally high. Firmly sewn together with wet thongs41, the tree is padded, covered with a loose skin, and furnished with stirrup-rings, just sufficiently42 capacious to embrace the first toe of the shoeless equestrian43.
The Abyssinian horse would in England be considered under-sized, and deficient44 in make and bone; but the breed is hardy45, enduring, and sure-footed, and, from its cheapness, might with advantage be exported to our Indian possessions. Colts reared among the Galla are deservedly held superior, the reckless character of the wild pagan rider impelling46 them over the most difficult ground, and thus imparting a degree of boldness and confidence which is rarely to be found in the Amhára steed. In Shoa the absence of roads precludes47 the use of wheeled carriages; and established custom forbidding the employment of the team in agriculture, the gelding is reserved exclusively for the saddle, whilst mares and stallions are very rarely ridden. The art of shoeing is unknown, and no attention is paid to the care of the hoof48, which, being extremely hard, for a time bids defiance49 to the stony50 ground; but many of our hunters were already beginning to suffer from the want of a farrier.
The horse is by all considered a very inferior animal to the mule51, whose soft agreeable pace accords much better with the general indolent habits of the Abyssinian, and whose patience and surety of foot among the steep rocky mountains are sufficiently appreciated. The prices given are consequently larger, and the care taken of the latter is proportionably greater. Whilst the steed, scantily53 supplied with old straw, runs in the pasture during every season of the year, the mule, on the failure of the herbage, is pampered54 on barley55 and on the best of teff fodder56, and, sheltered from the cold bleak57 wind, remains58 a constant inmate25 of the master’s dwelling59, on terms of close intimacy60 with the family.
Twenty-five or thirty miles within the day are rarely exceeded—the high hills to be ascended61, and the deep rugged62 valleys to be traversed, rendering63 a longer stage almost impracticable. The usual pace of the sure-footed mule is three miles an hour, but when the road is level, the amble64 is increased to five, and the pedestrians65 of the party still continue to retain their place. A saddled steed is led in the train; and, excepting in the hereditary66 dominions of Shoa, the traveller is fain to keep a good look-out for the roving Galla, and to do battle on the moment, if occasion requires.
On again reaching the gorge67 of the Fótah river, the governor, surrounded by the most puissant68 of his chivalry69, and preceded by a band of bold spearmen, each decorated with some flaunting70 trophy71 of the chase, advanced with a measured war-dance, and a martial72 chorus. These triumphant73 strains were continued with little intermission during the whole of the steep ascent74, in spite of the intense heat of the sun, which shot forth75 with greater fervour than ever. Dense76 clouds of dust and sand, such as might be raised by a charge of ten thousand cavalry77, whirled up towards the sultry sky from the scene of recent exploits; and the Amhára, already fanned by the cooler breeze of the highlands, looked down upon the execrated78 plain with joy at their deliverance from its burning atmosphere. From each hamlet along the route the inhabitants sallied forth with shrill acclamations to greet our return. The entire female population of Dummakoo, receiving the white strangers near the church dedicated79 to the tutelar saint of England, led the way with kettle-drums and shouts of welcome; and for many hours after arrival within the dark walls of the king’s granary, every quarter of the village resounded80 with choral music.
A visit of congratulation was immediately paid to us by a diminutive82 gentleman, who boasted descent in a direct line from the celebrated83 Graan, and whose more immediate81 ancestors possessed84 the vice-gerency of the greater part of the country just visited. Ali Qui occupied a farm in the vicinity of Dummakoo, and he was accompanied by his tall, fair, dark-eyed daughter, clothed in crimson85, and loaded with amulets86 and amber87 necklaces. Possessing the Abyssinian accomplishment88 of begging in the very highest perfection, the worthy89 Moslem90 presented ajar of milk, and requested the loan of a few hundred dollars to pay for his estate, whilst the coquettish damsel brought a loaf of bread, and exerted her powers of eloquence91 to bring about an application to the throne for the restoration of her parent to his hereditary dignities. She was known by the eccentric appellation92 of Amesa Karetse, or “fifty crowns”—a title bestowed93 in commemoration of a fine to that amount levied94 on the day of her nativity upon Ali Qui, as a punishment for the escape of a state prisoner consigned95 to his custody96.
The easy and ingenious mode of extortion by mamálacha exists in full force throughout the land, and all are equally amenable97 both to its abuses and to its privileges. Bringing any article within his means, no matter what, the begging petitioner98 hands it over to his superior as a memento99 for any thing that he has the assurance to demand. Servants offer a stick or a bundle of grass, and ask for swords, clothes, and money; whilst chiefs and the highest officers of state, present to the throne a pot of butter or a cloth, and seek to receive in return a horse, or a mule, or an embroidered100 garment. If the mamálacha be received, the case is hopeless; and indeed the custom of the country requires that the extortioner should be never met with a negative. Thus, on the occasion of loss by fire or other casualty, the sufferer makes the round of his acquaintance, who each contribute a mite101 to the subscription102; and wonderful licence being given to imposture103, the individual upon whom fortune has laid a heavy hand, soon waxes more wealthy than before.
No petitioner ever enters the presence of his superior unless furnished with an offering according to his worldly means, as a bribe104 to secure favour and good-will. Cattle and honey, cloth, wood, and even stones, are presented; and this system is invariably observed in all quarrels and dissensions, where either party desires reconciliation105. Without the intervention106 of a mediator107, this cannot be effected. A third individual is therefore sought, who will undertake the arrangement, and to his hands the affair is consigned. The king himself often accepts the office, and of course is very rarely unsuccessful. Inferiors come into the presence of their official master with large stones upon their heads; and, prostrating108 themselves upon the earth, seek forgiveness of their offences, which, at the intercession of the all-powerful mediator, is seldom withheld109. The oath by His Majesty’s life is the most potent in use. If adjured110 by the death of Sáhela Selássie, non-compliance can be visited by punishment; and the wilful111 breach112 of the solemn obligation renders the perjured113 party liable to penalties the most severe.
From the highest to the lowest, all classes are most pertinacious114 beggars. Whatsoever115 is seen is surely demanded,—guns, knives, scissors, beads116, cloth, mirrors, and dollars. The love of acquiring property stifles117 every sense of shame; and no compunction is felt in asking for the cloak from off the stranger’s back. The Amhára even take a pride in this national failing, and boast that the child, before coming into the world, will stretch forth its hand to receive a gift; whilst tradition extols118 as highly praiseworthy and deserving of imitation the conduct of a certain great Abyssinian chief, who on his death-bed desired that his body might be interred119 in the track of a caravan120, in order that, if possible, his spirit might be in the way of receiving a dole52 from the passing merchant!
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1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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11
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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12
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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13
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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16
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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beleaguer
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| v.使困扰，使烦恼，围攻 | |
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18
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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19
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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20
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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21
baboons
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| n.狒狒( baboon的名词复数 ) | |
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22
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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23
capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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24
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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26
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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27
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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28
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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29
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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31
precluded
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| v.阻止( preclude的过去式和过去分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
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32
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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33
fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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34
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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35
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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indented
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| adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版 | |
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37
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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38
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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39
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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40
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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41
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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42
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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43
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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44
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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45
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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46
impelling
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| adj.迫使性的，强有力的v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的现在分词 ) | |
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47
precludes
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| v.阻止( preclude的第三人称单数 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
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48
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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49
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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50
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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51
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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52
dole
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| n.救济，（失业）救济金；vt.（out）发放，发给 | |
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53
scantily
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| adv.缺乏地；不充足地；吝啬地；狭窄地 | |
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54
pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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56
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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57
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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58
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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59
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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60
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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61
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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63
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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64
amble
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| vi.缓行，漫步 | |
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65
pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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66
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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67
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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68
puissant
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| adj.强有力的 | |
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69
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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70
flaunting
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| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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71
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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72
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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74
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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75
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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76
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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77
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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78
execrated
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| v.憎恶( execrate的过去式和过去分词 )；厌恶；诅咒；咒骂 | |
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79
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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80
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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81
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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82
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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83
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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84
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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85
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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86
amulets
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| n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
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87
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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Moslem
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| n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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petitioner
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| n.请愿人 | |
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memento
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| n.纪念品，令人回忆的东西 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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102
subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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imposture
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| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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mediator
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| n.调解人，中介人 | |
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prostrating
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的现在分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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adjured
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| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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113
perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pertinacious
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| adj.顽固的 | |
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115
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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116
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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stifles
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的第三人称单数 )； 镇压，遏制 | |
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118
extols
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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