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
* * * * *
CONCLUSION
* * * * *
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PASS OF LOOKUM (Frontispiece).
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 WANDIGE
VIEW FROM WANDIGE OF LAKE TANA
SUMMIT OF ZER AMBA, A FORTRESS NEAR TSCHELGA
* * * * *
The Fetters on the Cover of this Volume represent the Leg-chains
worn by Dr. Blanc. Their weight is about seven pounds.
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.
London, July 23, 1868.
A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA.
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.
