A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia
PREFACE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER VI. Departure from Kassala—Sheik Abu
Sin—Rumours of Theodore's Defeat by Tisso Gobaze—Arrival at
Metemma—Weekly Market —The Takruries at Drill—Their Foray into
Abyssinia—Arrival of Letters from Theodore.
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.
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
Zage—Flattery before Coercion.
CHAPTER IX. Second visit to Zage—Arrest of Mr.
Rassam and the English Officers—Charges brought against Mr.
Rassam—The former Captives are brought in Chains to Zage—Public
Trial—Reconciliation—Mr. Flad's Departure—The Imprisonment at
Zage—Departure for Kourata.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Gobaze'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—Mr. Rassam's Influence overrated.
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.
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.
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.
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
Islamgee—His Quarrel with the Priests—His first Visit to the
Amba—Trial of the Two Chiefs—He places a New Commandant over the
Garrison.
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.
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.
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