from his yoke; they must, they feared, remain

his tributaries for ever."

Having said this, the Moon slipped away.

CHAPTER XIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE MOON'S REPORTS OF MAJOR HARRIS AND HIS PARTY, WITH SOME INFORMATION

CONCERNING ETHIOPIA.

WHEN next the Moon appeared, she said, “I have not even yet told you all that I have to relate concerning Major Harris and his associates; or, concerning the kingdom of Shoa, or His Most Christian Majesty, Sahela Selasse.'

6

Listen well and I

will give you further information. But, I repeat, listen well, for not much is revealed to the dwellers in Europe, concerning the vast regions of Ethiopia, or central Africa. Major Harris has indeed written a clever and interesting book, giving an account of his travels. Perhaps it would please you to compare what I relate to you, with the Major's account of things; if so, you will learn more than I can

afford time to inform you about; besides which, I did not see all that passed, I was not always present. The book is called 'The Highlands of Ethiopia,' by Major W. Cornwallis Harris, H.E.I.C. Engineers, 3 vols."

Having said this, the Moon went on. "It is only a high state of civilization which leads to the habit of peace among nations, and which causes men to regard it as the natural and proper state of society. Barbarians are always warlike, their delight is in war; martial and marauding exploits are their great boast and glory. The Amhara nation forms no exception to this observation; their king, Sahela Selasse, had reigned for thirty years, and during that time had made no fewer than eightyfour forays into the territories surrounding or depending upon his own. He had now, for reasons which I cannot justify, resolved upon a hostile, expedition into the Galla territory. He invited his British guests to accompany him. They determined to go, not as abettors of his warfare, but as spectators; they hoped to see much of the country,

and to learn a good deal concerning the habits of the people during the march. Perhaps it may be matter of doubt whether they did right in accepting the invitation.

"I must tell you the manner of the march, from which you will perceive that ideas of royal majesty, dignity, and etiquette, are not confined to great and civilized nations, but are entertained even in a small kingdom of barbarians in the interior of Africa. First a copy of the Holy Scriptures, under a canopy of scarlet cloth, was borne along by a mule; together with it was the ark of the cathedral of St. Michael, which the people of Shoa consider as sure to bring victory wherever it goes, and as possessing the power to work miracles. Next rode Sahela Selasse, on a mule, richly adorned; around the king were his shield-bearers, and around them were matchlock men.

"Now," said the Moon (and I thought as she spoke that her light flickered in a tremulous way, as though she were slightly shaken by laughter), "I feel sure you will not guess who came next.

It was neither the courtiers, nor the generals of the army, nor counsellors of war, no nor the priests of religion,—but next came the royal cooks: they were forty in number-damsels, robed in crimson, and painted with ochre. A most important part of the procession too were they, and around them were a numerous body of attendants and protectors, armed with white wands. Then a vast crowd followed, in which chiefs and governors,-warriors on chargers richly caparisoned, were mingled with porters, armbearers, men leading gay and beautiful horses, and camp followers of every rank and profession. After a march of fifteen miles, I saw the entire party come to a halt.

"The camp covered a reach of five miles. In a chosen spot in the centre of the group, the royal

tents were piched.

There was a marquee of many colours; around it were awnings of black serge, over these were displayed five crimson pennons, above each of which was a silver globe. Whilst the attendants were employed in pitching the royal tent, the king ascended an eminence with his chiefs