Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia | Page 2

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 WANDIG��
VIEW FROM WANDIG�� 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, so skilfully organized by its commander, whose title, Lord Napier of Magdala, commemorates the crowning achievement of a glorious career.
_London, July 23, 1868._

A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA.

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.
Lij Kassa, better known as the Emperor Theodore, was born in Kouara about the year 1818. His father was a noble of Abyssinia, and his uncle, the celebrated Dejatch Comfou, had for many years governed the provinces of Dembea, Kouara, Tschelga, &c. On the death of his