210 JOURNEY TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

of the military forces in Berber and Shendy. All honor to Ethiopian hospitality ! For here was at last the true Ethiopia, beyond the confines of Nubia; beyond the ancient Capital of Queen Candace ; beyond, not only the first and second, but the eleventh cataract of the Nile, and not far distant from " the steep of utmost Axume."

The morning brought with it no less pleasant experiences.

Seated at the door of my tent, indolently smoking, lulled by the murmuring of the Nile and cheered by the brightness of the green sea that bathed his western shore, I enjoyed the first complete k£ff since leaving Egypt. The temperature was like that of an American June, and my pulse beat so full and warm, my whole body was so filled with a sense of health, of strength in repose, of pure physical satisfaction, that I could not be otherwise than happy. My pleasure was disturbed by an old Arab, who came up with two beautiful goats, which I supposed he wanted to sell, but when Achniet returned from the bazaar, I found that they were a present from the Bey.

As I was sitting at breakfast, an hour later, I heard Achniet talking loudly with some one on the outside of the tent, and called to him to know what was the matter. He stated that an officer had just arrived to announce the Bey's approach, but that he had ordered him to go. back and say that I was at breakfast, and the Bey must not come for half an hour. "You have done a very rude thing," I said; for I felt annoyed that the Bey should receive such a message, as coming from me.

" Don't be alarmed, master," he coolly replied; " the Bey is now certain that you are of higher rank than he." Fortunately, I had a handsome tent, the best of tobacco and pure Mocha coffee, so that I could comply with the requisites of Eastern