TREACHEROUS ATTACK. 121 (who afterwards proved to be of the Dcmbelas tribe, a semiindependent people, living on the north-western frontier of Abyssinia, and whom I shall hereafter distinguish as Dembelas) commenced by kissing their hands, and making every demonstration of friendship. Suddenly, however, they fell helter-skel ter, one on top of the other, upon the rifles. Mahomet, Achmet, and the other three or four natives who were with them, on perceiving the tables thus unexpectedly turned, thought it was a case of saitve qtd pent, and made off as fast as their legs would carry them. The Dembelas fought with each other for the possession of the much-prized rifles ; and one or two made a rush for Lort Phillips's horse, which Eu-Noor, who usually looked after it, was holding. They stripped Eu-Noor, moreover, of Lort Phillips's revolver, wdiich he had unfortunately given him to carry early in the day, and which was fastened to a strap he wore round his waist.

Aylmer had his revolver in his hand, and drew it, intending to shoot a man who was trying to obtain possession of his horse ; but, for some reason or other, it would not go off, — a fortunate circumstance for him, I should think ; as, at the time he tried to use it, the Dembelas had, ten to one, the best of it.

They managed, however, before the natives made off with the booty, to recover Lort Phillips's ten-bore rifle and Aylmer's horse, which theyere also making off with. Hardly had they done so, when Lort Phillips gave a view-halloo. This (to them) unearthly noise had a magical effect ; they took to their heels up the hills that bordered the khor, as fast as they could go ; while Aylmer and Lort Phillips made the best of their way towards camp, with the ten-bore rifle and one horse, having lost a .500 and a .450 express rifle, an eight-bore, a revolver, and a horse.

After going some distance on their return to camp, they en-