Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia | Page 2

Night Attack--The Galla War-cry, and the "Sauve qui peut"--The
Wounded left on the Field--Hospitality of the Gallas--Theodore's Letter
on the Subject--Mastiate's Troubles--Wakshum Gabra Medhin--Sketch
of Gobaz's Career--He invites the Co-operation of the Bishop in seizing
Magdala--The Bishop's plan--All the rival Chiefs intrigue for the
Amba--Mr. Rassam's Influence overrated

CHAPTER XV.
Death of Abouna Salama--Sketch of his Life and Career--Grievances of
Theodore against him--His Imprisonment at Magdala--The Wallo
Gallas--Their Habits and Customs--Menilek appears with an Army in
the Galla Country--His Policy--Advice sent to him by Mr. Rassam--He
invests Magdala, and fires a _feu-de-joie_--The Queen's behavior
--Steps taken by the Chiefs--Our Position not improved--The Effects of
Smoke on Menilek--Our Disappointment followed by great Joy--We
receive news of the Landing of British Troops

CHAPTER XVI.
Theodore's Proceedings during our stay at Magdala--His treatment of
Begemder--A Rebellion breaks out--Forced March on Gondar--The
Churches are plundered and burnt--Theodore's Cruelties--The
Insurgents increase in Strength--The Designs of the Emperor on
Kourata frustrated--Mr. Bardel betrays the new Workmen--Theodore's
Ingratitude towards the Gaffat People--His Raid on Foggara
unsuccessful

CHAPTER XVII.
Arrival of Mr. Flad from England--Delivers a Letter and Message from
the Queen--The Episode of the Telescope--Our Property taken care
of--Theodore will not yield except to Force--He recruits his Army--Ras
Adilou and Zallallou desert him--He is repulsed at Belessa by Lij
Abitou and the Peasants--The Expedition against Metraha--His
Cruelties there--The great "Sebastopol" is cast--Famine and Pestilence
compel the Emperor to raise his Camp--The difficulties of his March to
Magdala--His arrival in Dalanta

CHAPTER XVIII.
Theodore in the Vicinity of Magdala--Our feelings at the Time--An
Amnesty granted to Dalanta--The Garrison of Magdala join the
Emperor--Mrs. Rosenthal and other Europeans are sent to the
Fortress--Theodore's Conversation with Flad and Waldmeier on the
Coming of the Troops--Sir Robert Napier's Letter to Theodore reaches
us--Theodore plunders Dalanta--He abuses Mr. Waldmeier--Reaches
the Bechelo--Correspondence between Mr. Rassam and Theodore--Mr.
Rassam is released from his Fetters--Theodore arrives at Islamgee--His
Quarrel with the Priests--His First Visit to the Amba--Trial of the two
Chiefs--He places a new Commandant over the Garrison

CHAPTER XIX.
We are counted by the new Ras, and condemned to Sleep in one
Hut--Theodore's Second Visit to the Amba--He sends for Mr. Rassam,
and gives orders that Prideaux and myself should have our Chains
taken off--The Operation described--Our Reception by the
Emperor--We are sent for to see "Sebastopol" landed on
Islamgee--Conversation with his Majesty--The remaining Prisoners are
freed from their Fetters--Theodore is unable to plunder his own

Property

CHAPTER XX.
All the Prisoners leave the Amba for Islamgee--Our Reception by
Theodore--He harangues his Troops, and releases some of the
Prisoners--He informs us of the Advance of the English--The
Massacre--We are sent back to Magdala--Effects of the Battle of
Fahla--Messrs. Prideaux and Flad sent to Negotiate--Release of the
Captives, and their narrow Escape--Their Arrival in the British Camp
* * * * *
CONCLUSION
* * * * *
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PASS OF LOOKUM (Frontispiece).
FORT, MISSION HOUSE, AND TOWN OF MASSOWAH
GROVE HOUSE AT MONCULLOU
VILLAGE OF DANKORA IN ATCHEFUR
CHURCH OF KEDUS GEORGIS AND VILLAGE OF NEFASA,
AGAU MEDAR
VILLAGE OF KANOA IN WANDIGÉ
VIEW FROM WANDIGÉ OF LAKE TANA
SUMMIT OF ZER AMBA, A FORTRESS NEAR TSCHELGA
* * * * *

_The Fetters on the Cover of this Volume represent the Leg-chains
worn by Dr. Blanc. Their weight is about seven pounds._

PREFACE.
* * * * *
With a view of gratifying the natural curiosity evinced by a large circle
of friends and acquaintance to obtain accurate information as to the
cause of our captivity, the manner in which we were treated, the details
of our daily life, and the character and habits of Theodore, I undertook
the task of writing this account of our captivity in Abyssinia.
I have endeavoured to give a correct sketch of the career of Theodore,
and a description of his country and people, more especially of his
friends and enemies.
In order to make the reader familiar with the subject, it was also
necessary to say a few words about the Europeans who played a part in
that strange imbroglio--the Abyssinian difficulty. My knowledge of
them, and of the events that occurred during our captivity, was acquired
through personal experience, and also by intercourse with
well-informed natives, during long months of enforced idleness.
In preparing this work for the press, I found it necessary to the
completeness of the narrative, to incorporate some portions of my
Report to the Government of Bombay on Mr. Rassam's mission, which
appeared in an Indian newspaper, and was subsequently republished in
a small volume.
For the same reason I have also included a few articles contributed by
me to a London newspaper.
The sufferings of the Abyssinian captives will be ever associated, in the
annals of British valour, with the triumphant success of the expedition,