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PREFACE

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. Bardel returns from the Soudan--Theodore's Dealings with Foreigners--The Coptic Patriarch--Abdul Rahman Bey--The Captivity of the Europeans explained

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

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

Departure from Kassala--Sheik Abu Sin--Rumours of Theodore's Defeat by Tisso Gobaz?--Arrival at Metemma--Weekly Market--The Takruries at Drill--Their Foray into Abyssinia--Arrival of Letters from Theodore

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 Zag?--Flattery before Coercion

Second Visit to Zag?--Arrest of Mr. Rassam and the English Officers --Charges brought against Mr. Rassam--The former Captives are brought in Chains to Zag?--Public Trial--Reconciliation--Mr. Flad's Departure --The Imprisonment at Zag?--Departure for Kourata

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are counted by the new Ras, and condemned to Sleep in one Hut--Theodore's Second Visit to the Amba--He 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

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

CONCLUSION

PASS OF LOOKUM .

FORT, MISSION HOUSE, AND TOWN OF MASSOWAH

GROVE HOUSE AT MONCULLOU

VILLAGE OF DANKORA IN ATCHEFUR

CHURCH OF KEDUS GEORGIS AND VILLAGE OF NEFASA, AGAU MEDAR

VILLAGE OF KANOA IN WANDIG?

VIEW FROM WANDIG? OF LAKE TANA

SUMMIT OF ZER AMBA, A FORTRESS NEAR TSCHELGA

PREFACE.

With a view of gratifying the natural curiosity evinced by a large circle of friends and acquaintance to obtain accurate information as to the cause of our captivity, the manner in which we were treated, the details of our daily life, and the character and habits of Theodore, I undertook the task of writing this account of our captivity in Abyssinia.

I have endeavoured to give a correct sketch of the career of Theodore, and a description of his country and people, more especially of his friends and enemies.

In order to make the reader familiar with the subject, it was also necessary to say a few words about the Europeans who played a part in that strange imbroglio--the Abyssinian difficulty. My knowledge of them, and of the events that occurred during our captivity, was acquired through personal experience, and also by intercourse with well-informed natives, during long months of enforced idleness.

In preparing this work for the press, I found it necessary to the completeness of the narrative, to incorporate some portions of my Report to the Government of Bombay on Mr. Rassam's mission, which appeared in an Indian newspaper, and was subsequently republished in a small volume.

For the same reason I have also included a few articles contributed by me to a London newspaper.

The sufferings of the Abyssinian captives will be ever associated, in the annals of British valour, with the triumphant success of the expedition, so skilfully organized by its commander, whose title, Lord Napier of Magdala, commemorates the crowning achievement of a glorious career.

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.

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, governor of Kouara; but, dissatisfied with that post, which left but little scope for his ambition, he threw off his allegiance, and occupied Dembea as a rebel. Several generals were sent to chastise the young soldier; but he either eluded their pursuit or defeated their forces. However, on the solemn promise that he would, be well received, he repaired to the camp of Ras Ali. This kind-hearted but weak ruler thought to attach to his cause the brave chieftain, and to accomplish that object gave him his daughter Tawavitch . Lij Kassa returned to Kouara, and for a time remained faithful to his sovereign. He made several plundering expeditions in the low lands, carried fire and sword into the Arab huts, and always returned from these excursions bringing with him hordes of cattle, prisoners, and slaves.

The successes of Kassa, the courage he manifested on all occasions, the abstemious life he led, and the favour he showed to all who served his cause, soon collected around him a band of hardy and reckless followers. Being ambitious, he now formed the project of carving out an empire for himself in the fertile plains he had so often devastated. Educated in a convent, he had not only studied theological subjects, but made himself conversant with the mystic Abyssinian history. His early education always exercised great influence on his after-life, giving to his intercourse with others a religious character, and impressed vividly upon his mind the idea that the Mussulman race having for centuries encroached on the Christian land, it should be the aim of his life to re-establish the old Ethiopian empire. Urged on, therefore, both by ambition and fanaticism, he advanced in the direction of Kedaref at the head of 16,000 warriors; but he had soon to learn the immense superiority of a small number of well-armed and well-trained troops over large but undisciplined bodies of men. Near Kedaref he came in sight of his mortal foes the Turks, a mere handful of irregulars; yet they were too much for him: for the first time, defeated and disheartened, he had, for a while, to abandon his long-cherished scheme.

Instead of returning to the seat of his government, he was obliged, on account of a severe wound received during the fight, to halt on the frontier of Dembea. From his camp he informed his mother-in-law of his condition, and requested that she would send him a cow--the fee required by the Abyssinian doctor. Waizero Menen, who had always hated Kassa, now took advantage of his fallen condition to humble his pride still more; she sent him, instead of the cow, a small piece of meat with an insulting message. Near the couch of the wounded chieftain sat the brave companion who had shared his fortunes, the wife whom he loved. On hearing the sneering message of the Queen, her fiery Galla blood flamed with indignation. She rose and told Kassa that she loved the brave but abhorred the coward; and she could not remain any longer by his side if, after such an insult, he did not revenge it in blood. Her passionate words fell upon willing ears; vengeance filled the heart of Kassa, and as soon as he had sufficiently recovered he returned to Kouara and openly proclaimed his independence.

For the second time Ras Ali called him to his court; but the summons met with a stern refusal. Several generals were sent to enforce the command, but the young soldier easily routed these courtiers; whilst their followers, charmed with Kassa's insinuating manners and dazzled by his splendid promises, almost to a man enrolled themselves under his standard. His wife again exerted her influence, showing him how easily he might secure for himself the supreme power, and, as he hesitated, again threatened to leave him. Kassa resisted no longer; he advanced into Godjam, and carried all before him. The battle of Djisella, fought in 1853, decided the fate of Ras Ali. His army had been but for a short time engaged when, panic-stricken, the Ras left the field with a body of 500 horse, leaving the rest of his large host to swell the ranks of the conqueror. Victory followed victory, and after a few years, from Shoa to Metemma, from Godjam to Bogos, all feared and obeyed the commands of the Emperor Theodore; for under that name he desired to be crowned, after he had by the battle of Deraski?, fought in February, 1855, subdued Tigr?, and conquered his most formidable opponent, Dejatch Oubi?.

Shortly after the battle of Deraski?, Theodore turned his victorious arms against the Wallo Gallas, possessed himself of Magdala, and ravaged and destroyed so completely the rich Galla plain that many of the chiefs joined his ranks, and fought against their own countrymen. He had now not only avenged the long-oppressed Christians, so often victims of the Galla inroads, but curbed for a long time the haughty spirit of these clans. At the height of success, he lost his brave and loving wife. He felt the cruel blow deeply. She had been his faithful counsellor, the companion of his adventures, the being he most loved; and he cherished her memory while he lived. In 1866, when one of his artisans almost forced himself into his presence to request permission for me to remain a few days near the man's dying wife, Theodore bent his head, and wept at the remembrance of his own wife whom he had so deeply loved.

The career of Theodore may be divided into three very distinct periods:--First, from his early days to the death of his first wife; secondly, from the fall of Ras Ali to the death of Mr. Bell; thirdly, from this last event to his own death. The first period we have described: it was the period of promise. During the second--which extends from 1853 to 1860--there is still much to praise in the conduct of the Emperor, although many of his actions are unworthy of his early career. From 1860 to 1868 he seems little by little to have thrown off all restraint, until he became remarkable for reckless and wanton cruelty. His principal wars during the second period were with Dejatch Goscho Beru, governor of Godjam; with Dejatch Oubi?, whom he conquered, as we have already stated, at the battle of Deraski?, and with the Wallo Gallas. He could, however, still be merciful, and though he imprisoned many of the feudal chiefs, he promised to release them as soon as the pacification of his empire should be complete.

In 1860 he advanced against his cousin Garad, the murderer of Consul Plowden, and gained the day; but he lost his best friend and adviser, Mr. Bell, who saved the Emperor's life by sacrificing his own. In January, 1861, Theodore marched with an overwhelming force against a powerful rebel, Agau Negoussi, who had made himself master of all northern Abyssinia; by cunning and skilful tactics, he easily overthrew his adversary but tarnished his victory by horrid cruelties and gross breach of faith. Agau Negoussi's hands and feet were cut off, and though he lingered for days, the merciless emperor refused him even a drop of water to moisten his fevered lips. His cruel vengeance did not stop there. Many of the compromised chiefs, who had surrendered on his solemn pledge of amnesty, were either handed over to the executioner or sent to linger for life, loaded with fetters, in some of the prison ambas. For the next three years Theodore's rule was acknowledged throughout the land. A few petty rebels had risen here and there, but with the exception of Tadla Gwalu, who could not be driven from the fastness of his amba in the south of Godjam, all the others were but of little importance, and did not disturb the tranquillity of his reign.

But though a conqueror, and endowed with military genius, Theodore was a bad administrator. To attach his soldiery to his cause, he lavished upon them immense sums of money; he was therefore forced to exact exorbitant tributes, almost to drain the land of its last dollar, in order to satisfy his rapacious followers. Finding himself at the head of a powerful host, and feeling either reluctant or afraid to dismiss them to their homes, he longed for foreign conquests; the dream of his younger days became a fixed idea, and he believed himself called upon by God to re-establish in its former greatness the old Ethiopian empire.

Theodore's army at this time consisted of some 100,000 or 150,000 fighting men; and if we take as the average four followers for every soldier, his camp must have numbered between 500,000 and 600,000 souls. Admitting, also, the population of Abyssinia to be nearly 3,000,000, about one fourth of the number had to be paid, fed, and clothed by the contributions of the remainder.

During a few years, such was Theodore's prestige that this terrible oppression was quietly accepted; at last, however, the peasants, half-starved and almost naked, finding that with all their sacrifices and privations they were still far from satisfying the daily increasing demands of their terrible master, abandoned the fertile plains, and under the guidance of some of the remaining hereditary chiefs, retired to high plateaus, or concealed themselves in secluded valleys. In Godjam, Walkait, Shoa, and Tigr?, the rebellion broke out almost simultaneously. Theodore had for a while to abandon his ideas of foreign conquest, and did his utmost to crush the mutinous spirit of his people. Whole rebel districts were laid waste; but the peasants, protected by their strongholds, could not be reached: they quietly awaited the departure of the invader and then returned to their desolated homes, cultivating just enough for their maintenance; thus, with only a few exceptions, the peasants evaded the terrible vengeance of the now infuriate Emperor. His immense army soon suffered severely from this mode of warfare. Each year the provinces which the soldiers could plunder became fewer; severe famines broke out; large districts such as Dembea, the granary of Gondar and of central Abyssinia, lay waste and uncultivated. The soldiers, formerly pampered, now in their turn half starved and badly clad, lost confidence in their leader; desertions were numerous; and many returned to their native provinces, and joined the ranks of the discontented.

The fall of Theodore was even more rapid than his rise. He was still unconquered in the battlefield, as, after the example of Negoussi's fate, none dared to oppose him; but against the passive warfare of the peasantry and the Fabian-like policy of their chiefs he could do nothing. Never resting, almost always on the march, his army day by day becoming reduced in strength, he went from province to province; but in vain: all disappeared at his approach. There was no enemy; but there was no food! At last, reduced by necessity, in order to keep around him some remnants of his former immense army, he had no alternative left but to plunder the few provinces still faithful to him.

When I first met Theodore, in January, 1866, he must have been about forty-eight years of age. His complexion was darker than that of the majority of his countrymen, the nose slightly curved, the mouth large, the lips so small as hardly to be perceived. Of middle size, well knit, wiry rather than muscular, he excelled as a horseman, in the use of the spear, and on foot would tire his hardiest followers. The expression of his dark eyes, slightly depressed, was strange; if he was in good humour they were soft, with a kind of gazelle-like timidity about them that made one love him; but when angry the fierce and bloodshot eye seemed to shed fire. In moments of violent passion his whole aspect was frightful: his black visage acquired an ashy hue, his thin compressed lips left but a whitish margin around the mouth, his very hair stood erect, and his whole deportment was a terrible illustration of savage and ungovernable fury.

Yet he excelled in the art of duping his fellow-men. Even a few days before his death he had still, when we met him, all the dignity of a sovereign, the amiability and good-breeding of the most accomplished "gentleman." His smile was so attractive, his words were so sweet and gracious, that one could hardly believe that the affable monarch was but a consummate dissembler.

He never perpetrated a deed of treachery or cruelty without pleading some specious excuse, so as to convey the impression that in all his actions he was guided by a sense of justice. For example, he plundered Dembea because the inhabitants were too friendly towards Europeans, and Gondar because one of our messengers had been betrayed by the inhabitants of that city. He destroyed Zag?, a large and populous city, because he pretended that a priest had been rude to him. He cast into chains his adopted father, Cantiba Hailo, because he had taken into his service a female servant he had dismissed. Tesemma Engeddah, the hereditary chief of Gahinte, fell under his displeasure because after a battle against the rebels he had shown himself "too severe," and our first head-jailor was taken to the camp and put in chains because he had "formerly been a friend" of the King of Shoa. I could adduce hundreds of instances to illustrate his habitual hypocrisy. In our case, he arrested us because we had not brought the former captives with us; Mr. Stern he nearly killed, merely for putting his hand to his face, and he imprisoned Consul Cameron for going to the Turks instead of bringing him back an answer to his letter.

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