Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia

Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia

Project Gutenberg's A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia, by Henry Blanc Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the header without written permission.
Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
Title: A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People
Author: Henry Blanc
Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8815] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 10, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA ***

Produced by Distributed Proofreaders

A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA;
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LATE EMPEROR THEODORE, HIS COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.
BY HENRY BLANC, M.D., M.R.C.S.E., F.A.S.L., ETC.,
STAFF ASSISTANT-SURGEON HER MAJESTY'S BOMBAY ARMY, (LATELY ON SPECIAL DUTY IN ABYSSINIA.)

CONTENTS
PREFACE

CHAPTER I.
The Emperor Theodore--His Rise and Conquests--His Army and Administration--Causes of his Fall--His Personal Appearance and Character--His Household and Private Life

CHAPTER II.
Europeans in Abyssinia--Bell and Plowden--Their Career and Deaths--Consul Cameron--M. Lejean--M. Bardel and Napoleon's Answer to Theodore--The Gaffat People--Mr. Stern and the Djenda Mission--State of Affairs at the End of 1863

CHAPTER III.
Imprisonment of Mr. Stern--Mr. Kerans arrives with Letters and Carpet--Cameron, with his Followers, is put in Chains--M. Bardel returns from the Soudan--Theodore's Dealings with Foreigners--The Coptic Patriarch--Abdul Rahman Bey--The Captivity of the Europeans explained

CHAPTER IV.
News of Cameron's Imprisonment reaches Home--Mr. Rassam is selected to proceed to the Court of Gondar, and is accompanied by Dr. Blanc--Delays and Difficulties in communicating with Theodore--Description of Massowah and its Inhabitants--Arrival of a Letter from the Emperor

CHAPTER V.
From Massowah to Kassala--The Start--The Habab--Adventures of M. Marcopoli--The Beni Amer--Arrival at Kassala--The Nubian Mutiny--Attempt of De Bisson to found a Colony in the Soudan

CHAPTER VI.
Departure from Kassala--Sheik Abu Sin--Rumours of Theodore's Defeat by Tisso Gobaz��--Arrival at Metemma--Weekly Market--The Takruries at Drill--Their Foray into Abyssinia--Arrival of Letters from Theodore

CHAPTER VII.
Entrance into Abyssinia--Altercation between Takruries and Abyssinians at Wochnee--Our Escort and Bearers--Applications for Medicine--First Reception by his Majesty--The Queen's Letter translated and Presents delivered--Accompany his Majesty through Metsha--His Conversation en route
CHAPTER VIII.
Leave the Emperor's Camp for Kourata--The Tana Sea--The Abyssinian Navy--The Island of Dek--Arrival at Kourata--The Gaffat People and former Captives join us--Charges preferred against the Latter--First Visit to the Emperor's Camp at Zag��--Flattery before Coercion

CHAPTER IX.
Second Visit to Zag��--Arrest of Mr. Rassam and the English Officers --Charges brought against Mr. Rassam--The former Captives are brought in Chains to Zag��--Public Trial--Reconciliation--Mr. Flad's Departure --The Imprisonment at Zag��--Departure for Kourata

CHAPTER X.
Second Residence at Kourata--Cholera and Typhus break out in the Camp--The Emperor resolves to march to Debra Tabor--Arrival at Gaffat--The Foundry transformed into a Palace--Political Trial at Debra Tabor--The Black Tent--Dr. Blanc and Mr. Rosenthal seized at Gaffat--Another Public Trial--The Black Hole--March with the Emperor to Aibankab--Sent to Magdala, and Arrival at the Amba

CHAPTER XI.
Our first House at Magdala--The Chief has a "little Business" with us--Feelings of a European when being put in Chains--The Operation described--The Prisoners' Toilette--How we Lived--Our first Messenger a Failure--How we obtained Money and Letters--A Magdala Diary--A Rainy Season in a Godjo

CHAPTER XII.
Description of Magdala--Climate and Water Supply--The Emperor's Houses--His Harem and Magazines--The Church--Prison-house--Guards and Gaol--Discipline--A previous Visit of Theodore to Magdala--Slaughter of the Gullas--Character and Antecedents of Samuel--Our friends, Zenab the Astronomer, and Meshisha the Lute-player--Day Guards--We build new Huts--Abyssinian and Portuguese Servants--Our Inclosure is enlarged

CHAPTER XIII.
Theodore writes to Mr. Rassam about Mr. Flad and the Artisans--His two Letters contrasted--General Merewether arrives at Massowah--Danger of sending Letters to the Coast--Ras Engeddah brings us a few Stores--Our Garden--Successful Results of Vaccination at Magdala--Our Day Guard again--Second Rainy Season--The Chiefs are Jealous--The Ras and his Council--Damash, Hailo, Daily Life during Rainy Season--Two Prisoners attempt to Escape--The Knout in Abyssinia--A Dying Man's Prophecy

CHAPTER XIV.
Second Rainy Season ends--Scarcity and dearness of Provisions--Meshisha and Comfou plot their Escape--They succeed--Theodore is robbed--Damash pursues the Fugitives--The 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