Why have you sent letters to the coast?" and such like
rubbish.
Many of the highest officers several times expressed openly their
approval of our answers - a rare proceeding in an Abyssinian Court.
They evidently did not like, nor could they justify, the treacherous
conduct of their master. Between the questions, a paper was partially
read, referring to his Majesty's pedigree. As it had nothing to
do with, our alleged offences, I could not understand its object,
except that it was a certain weakness of this parvenu to
glory in his supposed ancestors. His Majesty's last message was:
"I have sent for your brethren, and when they arrive, I will see
what I shall do."
The assembly having been dismissed, we waited a little while, whilst
a tent was pitched for us near the Emperor's inclosure. At the time
we were undergoing our trial, all the luggage we had brought with
us was personally examined by his Majesty. All arms, money, papers,
knives, &c., were confiscated; the remainder being sent to us after
we had been escorted to the tent; We had hardly entered our new
abode, and had not yet recovered from our surprise at the turn the
Abyssinian imbroglio had just taken, when cows and bread in
abundance were sent to us by Theodore a strange contrast to his
recent dealings.
At about the same hour which witnessed this reverse in our fortunes,
the released captives were also destined to meet with a fearful
disappointment.
