The Slave Monopoly of the Government. 173 hand, offers no difficulty, and is traversed by Greek merchants who purchase coffee, musk, and wax. The Gralhs are in constant connection with the Abyssinians of Grojam, and an important trade connects these populations among themselves. The news we received at Fadasi of the arrival of Antinori and his companions at Kaffa leaves no doubt whatever as to their truth." This is sufficiently proved by the description given of the travellers and of the things they had with them. But I am nevertheless of the opinion that the part of their exploration hitherto achieved is the easiest.

Between Kaffa and the Nyanza, and between Kaffa and the Nile, there is an immense valley inhabited by various tribes. When the expedition of the Egyptian Government had Gondokoro for its headquarters, we only commanded a district of about two miles around, and we could not yet venture beyond even that short distance, unless in numbers and well-armed. The tribes which inhabited the mountains of Belinguan, ten miles Avest of Gondokoro, have ncA'er submitted. Whoever has read Sir Samuel Baker's " Ismalia " will be persuaded that by hostile measures one could never effect anything with that Sheikh, who, besides possessing an inaccessible mountain, commands brave tribes and has two hundred guns at his disjDosal, which were bought from the Arab merchants who pass by in search of ivory.

I have had occasion to be with this Sheikh several times, and I believe it possible to gain him for our cause by means of the commander of the station of ' This information given us Ly the lamented Gessi is now of orreat importance, since these roads are in countries protected hy us. — En.

■ Only Cecchi, as Ave now know, arrived at the borders of Kaffa. — Ed.

I remind the reader that Gessi was major in the staff" of the Egyptian army.