DIFFICULTIES OF TRAVEL IN ABYSSINIA, 1 65 Gash, without going so far south. That there were people about, was evident, as we saw several large fires to the eastward. The majority were for retracing our footsteps to Khor Meheteb, which was a far pleasantcr-looking place to encamp in than where we then were ; and so accordingly, though with many regrets, we moved there the next day.

As far as Abyssinia is concerned, it would be very difficult to get into the country from that part of the Soudan. There is not much difficulty for Europeans wishing to travel there ; but they must first get proper passes from the king, and these can only be obtained by waiting for some time. The best way to get into the country is from Massawa ; and the safest plan to insure one's self against delay is to get some one to send a messenger a good long time before the traveller intends landing there, to get the needful letters from the king. A European, attempting to travel there without the requisite permission, would invariably find himself either turned back, or, more probably, kept a prisoner until the king heard of it, and chose to set him at liberty. Mules must be used for this journey, as the roads are impassable for camels.

hether there were Base, or not, living on the banks of the Settite, to the east of the farthest point we reached, I am sure we could have gone a good long way before coming upon any Abyssinian villages. Old Ali, our cook, was greatly excited at the thought of going any farther in the direction of Abyssinia ; as, a few years previously, he and two English gentlemen, with whom he was travelling in that country, and who had not obtained the. necessary permission from the king, were kept prisoners for a long time, and, during that time, lived on anything but the fat of the land.

I walked all the way back to Khor Meheteb, and a roastinghot walk I found it. Arthur went part of the way with me,