BY HENRY BLANC, M.D.,
M.R.C.S.E., F.A.S.L., ETC.,
STAFF ASSISTANT-SURGEON HER MAJESTY'S BOMBAY ARMY,
(LATELY ON SPECIAL DUTY IN ABYSSINIA.)
CONTENTS
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 - M. Bardel
returns 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 Metsha - 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 at 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 a European when being put in Chains - The Operation
described - The Prisoners' Toilette - 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 Gullas - 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, 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 Gobaz'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 behavior
- 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 Conversation 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.
