i66 Seven Years in the Soudan.

here, through the assembling of the Galla people with their products, Avliich they exchange for salt, of which they are entirely destitute.

It is known that the Gallas could be easily conquered if the way were closed by which they import salt. They are a poor people, who geographically occupy a territory so vast that it could hold all Italy many times. They are obliged to undertake long journeys to obtain salt, and expose themselves to probable death, in order to take back to their country one of the necessaries of life. At Fadasi salt arrives in great quantities, brought by the traders, purchase it at Benishangah or, more directly, at Galabat. When brought into these distant regions it has a much greater value, and the Gallas exchange for it their oxen, horses, iron and honey. A journey made to obtain a necessary article would be no hardship, were it not for the serious danger incurred by the caravans, which pass through the fierce tribe of the Aman.

We have already spoken of the fear aroused in all the villages between Famaka and Turaat by the tribes of the Tabi, and yet the natives of Tabi, compared with the Aman tribe, are perfect saints. The latter occupy both banks of the Yabus ; they have no laws, no faith, are regardless of every tie of discipline or morality, and live exclusively by rapine and plunder, practised on the caravans of the poor Gallas when returning from the salt market. The men of Tabi descend in small numbers from the mountains, and a strong caravan can beat them, but the Aman robbers lie in wait in thousands along the roads for the caravans, and not only plunder, but massacre without pity and with the coldest ferocity. This happens often, and no longer ago than yesterday a numerous troop of Gallas were routed by the Aman people, and the report of this bad news was very grievous to our souls, for it seemed to threaten our plan of travel.