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A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA;
A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA;
The Emperor Theodore—His Rise and Conquests—His Army and Administration—Causes of his Fall—His Personal Appearance and Character—His Household and Private Life Europeans in Abyssinia—Bell and Plowden—Their Career and Deaths—Consul Cameron—M. Lejean—M. Bardel and Napoleon's Answer to Theodore—The Gaffat People—Mr. Stern and the Djenda Mission—State of Affairs at the End of 1863 Imprisonment of Mr. Stern—Mr. Kerans arrives with Letters and Carpet—Cameron, with his Followers, is put in Chains—M. Ba
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
All the Prisoners leave the Amba for Islamgee—Our Reception by Theodore—He harangues his Troops, and releases some of the Prisoners—He informs us of the Advance of the English—The Massacre—We are sent back to Magdala—Effects of the Battle of Fahla—Messrs. Prideaux and Flad sent to Negotiate—Release of the Captives, and their narrow Escape—Their Arrival in the British Camp * * * * * * * * * * PASS OF LOOKUM (Frontispiece). * * * * * The Fetters on the Cover of this Volume represent the Leg-chains
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
The Emperor Theodore—His Rise and Conquests—His Army and Administration—Causes of his Fall—His Personal Appearance and Character—His Household and Private Life. Lij Kassa, better known as the Emperor Theodore, was born in Kouara about the year 1818. His father was a noble of Abyssinia, and his uncle, the celebrated Dejatch Comfou, had for many years governed the provinces of Dembea, Kouara, Tschelga, &c. On the death of his uncle he was appointed by Ras Ali's mother, Waizero Menen, gover
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Europeans in Abyssinia—Bell and Plowden—Their Career and Deaths —Consul Cameron—M. Lejean—M. Bardel and Napoleon's Answer to Theodore—The Gaffat People—Mr. Stern and the Djenda Mission—State of Affairs at the end of 1863. Abyssinia seems to have had a strange fascination for Europeans. The two first who were connected with the late Abyssinian affairs are Messrs. Bell and Plowden, who both entered Abyssinia in 1842. Mr. John Bell, better known in that country under the name of Johannes, first att
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Imprisonment of Mr. Stern—Mr. Kerans arrives with Letters and Carpet—Cameron, with his Followers, is put in Chains—Mr. Bardel's Return from the Soudan—Theodore's Dealings with Foreigners—The Coptic Patriarch—Abdul Rahman Bey—The Captivity of the Europeans explained. Such was the state of affairs when Mr. Stern obtained leave to return to the coast. Unfortunately it was impossible for him to avail himself at once of this permission. On Mr. Stern at last taking his departure he had to remain at Go
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
News of Cameron's Imprisonment reaches Home—Mr. Rassam is selected to proceed to the Court of Gondar, and is accompanied by Dr. Blanc—Delays and Difficulties in Communicating with Theodore—Description of Massowah and its Inhabitants—Arrival of a Letter from the Emperor. In the spring of 1864 it was vaguely rumoured that an African potentate had imprisoned a British consul; the fact appeared so strange, that few credited the assertion. It was soon ascertained, however, that a certain Emperor of A
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
From Massowah to Kassala—The Start—The Habab—Adventures of M. Marcopoli—The Beni Amer—Arrival at Kassala—The Nubian Mutiny—Attempt of De Bisson to found a Colony in the Soudan. On the afternoon of the 15th October, all our preparations being apparently complete, the mission, composed of Mr. H. Rassam, Lieut. W.F. Prideaux, of her Majesty's Bombay Staff Corps, and myself, started on its dangerous enterprise. We were accompanied by a nephew of the Naib of Arkiko; and an escort of Turkish Irregular
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Departure from Kassala—Sheik Abu Sin—Rumours of Theodore's Defeat by Tisso Gobazé—Arrival at Metemma—Weekly Market —The Takruries at Drill—Their Foray into Abyssinia—Arrival of Letters from Theodore. On the afternoon of the 10th November we started for Kedaref. Our route now lay in a more southerly direction. On the 13th we crossed the Atbara, a tributary of the Nile, bringing to the father of rivers the waters of Northern Abyssinia. On the 17th we entered Sheik Abu Sin, the capital of the provi
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Entrance into Abyssinia—Altercation between Takruries and Abyssinians at Wochnee—Our Escort and Bearers—Applications for Medicine—First Reception by his Majesty—The Queen's Letter Translated, and Presents Delivered—Accompany his Majesty through Metcha—His Conversation en route . Heartily sick of Metemma, and longing to climb the high range so long a forbidden barrier to our hopes and wishes, we soon made our preparations, but were delayed a few days on account of the camels. Sheik Jumma, probabl
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Leave the Emperor's Camp for Kourata—The Tana Sea—The Abyssinian Navy—The Island of Dek—Arrival at Kourata—The Gaffat People and former Captives join us—Charges preferred against the latter—First Visit to the Emperor's Camp at Zagé—Flattery before Coercion. On the 6th of February his Majesty sent us word to depart. We did not see him, but before we left he sent us a letter informing us that as soon as the prisoners joined us he would take steps to send us out of his country in "honour and safety
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Second visit to Zagé—Arrest of Mr. Rassam and the English Officers—Charges brought against Mr. Rassam—The former Captives are brought in Chains to Zagé—Public Trial—Reconciliation—Mr. Flad's Departure—The Imprisonment at Zagé—Departure for Kourata. On the 13th of April we made our third experiment of the bulrush boats, as the Emperor desired once more to see his dear friends before they left. The European workmen of Gaffat accompanied us. All the Magdala and Gaffat prisoners started the same day
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Second Residence in Kourata—Cholera and Typhus break out in the Camp—The Emperor resolves to march to Debra Tabor—Arrival at Gaffat—The Foundry transformed into a Palace—Political Trial at Debra Tabor—The Black Tent—Dr. Blanc and Mr. Rosenthal seized at Gaffat—Another Public Trial—The Black Hole—March with the Emperor to Aibankab—Sent to Magdala, and Arrival at the Amba. At Kourata a few empty houses were put at our disposal, and we went to work to make these dirty native dwellings inhabitable.
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Our First House at Magdala—The Chief has a "little Business" with us—Feelings of an European when being put in Chains—The Operation described—The Prisoner's Toilet—How we Lived—Our first Messenger a Failure—How we obtained Money and Letters—A Magdala Diary—A Rainy Season in a Godjo. It was already dark when we had arrived the evening before. Our first thought in the morning was to examine our new abode. It consisted of two circular huts, surrounded by a strong thorny fence, adjoining the Emperor
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Description of Magdala—Climate and Water Supply—The Emperor's Houses—His Harem and Magazines—The Church—Prison-house—Guards and Gaol—Discipline—A previous Visit of Theodore to Magdala—Slaughter of the Gallas—Character and Antecedents of Samuel—Our friends Zenab the Astronomer, and Meshisha the Lute—player—Day Guards—We build new Huts—Abyssinian and Portuguese Servants—Our Inclosure is enlarged. Amba Magdala, distant about 320 [Footnote: According to Mr. C. Markham.] miles from Zulla, and about 1
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Theodore writes to Mr. Rassam about Mr. Flad and the Artisans—His two Letters contrasted—General Merewether arrives at Massowah—Danger of sending Letters to the Coast—Ras Engeddah brings us a few Stores —Our Garden—Successful Results of Vaccination at Magdala—Our Day Guard again—Second Rainy Season—The Chiefs are Jealous—The Ras and his Council—Damash, Hailo, &c.—Daily Life during Rainy Season—Two Prisoners attempt to Escape—The Knout in Abyssinia—A Dying Man's Prophecy. About this time
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Second Rainy Season ends—Scarcity and Dearness of Provisions—Meshisha and Comfou plot their Escape—They succeed—Theodore is robbed—Damash pursues the Fugitives—The Night Attack—The Galla War-cry and the "Sauve qui peut"—The wounded left on the Field—Hospitality of the Gallas —Theodore's Letter on the Subject—Mastiate's Troubles—Wakshum Gabra Medhin—Sketch of Gobazé's Career—He invites the Co-operation of the Bishop in seizing Magdala—The Bishop's Plan—All the rival Chiefs intrigue for the Amba—M
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CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
Death of Abouna Salama—Sketch of his Life and Career—Grievances of Theodore against him—His Imprisonment at Magdala—The Wallo Gallas—Their Habits and Customs—Menilek appears with an Army in the Galla Country—His Policy—Advice sent to him by Mr. Rassam—He invests Magdala and fires a feu-de-joie —The Queen's Behaviour —Steps taken by the Chiefs—Our Position not Improved—The Effects of Smoke on Menilek—Our Disappointment followed by Great Joy—We receive News of the Landing of British Troops. On the
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Theodore's Proceedings during our Stay at Magdala—His Treatment of Begemder—A Rebellion breaks out—Forced March on Gondar—The Churches are Plundered and Burnt—Theodore's Cruelties—The Insurgents increase in Strength—The Designs of the Emperor on Kourata Frustrated—Mr. Bardel Betrays the New Workmen—Theodore's Ingratitude towards the "Gaffat People"—His Raid on Foggara Unsuccessful. Theodore remained at Aibankab for only a few days after our departure, and returned to Debra Tabor. He had told us
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
Arrival of Mr. Flad from England—Delivers a Letter and Message from the Queen—The Episode of the Telescope—Our Property taken care of—Theodore will not yield except to force—He Recruits his Army—Ras Adilou and Zallallou desert him—He is repulsed at Belessa by Lij Abitou and the Peasants—The Expedition against Metraha—His Cruelties there—The "Great Sebastopol" is Cast—Famine and Pestilence compel the Emperor to raise his Camp—The Difficulties of his March to Magdala—His Arrival in Dalanta. Soon a
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Theodore in the vicinity of Magdala—Our Feelings at the Time—An Amnesty granted to Dalanta—The Garrison of Magdala join the Emperor—Mrs. Rosenthal and other Europeans are sent to the Fortress—Theodore's Conversations with Flad and Waldmeier on the coming of the Troops—Sir Robert Napier's Letter to Theodore reaches us—Theodore plunders Dalanta—He abuses Mr. Waldmeier—Reaches the Bechelo—Correspondence between Mr. Rassam and Theodore—Mr. Rassam is Released from his Fetters—Theodore arrives at Isla
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
We are counted by the new Ras, and condemned to sleep in One Hut—Theodore's Second Visit to the Amba—Sends for Mr. Rassam and gives orders that Prideaux and myself should have our Chains taken off—The Operation described—Our Reception by the Emperor—We are sent for to see "Sebastopol" landed on Islamgee—Conversation with his Majesty—The remaining Prisoners are freed from their Fetters—Theodore is unable to Plunder his own property. On the 28th of March, all of us, with the exception of Mr. Rassa
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
All the Prisoners leave the Amba for Islamgee—Our Reception by Theodore—He harangues his Troops, and releases some of the Prisoners—He informs us of the Advance of the English— The Massacre—We are sent back to Magdala—Effects of the Battle of Fahla—Messrs. Prideaux and Flad sent to negotiate —Release of the Captives, and their Narrow Escape—Their Arrival in the British Camp. On the evening of the 7th of April we heard indirectly that the next morning all the prisoners, ourselves included, would
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ERRATUM.
ERRATUM.
Page 33, line 13,— For "Samuel, the Georgis balderaba" Read "Samuel Georgis, the balderaba"...
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