Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia

Narrative of Captivity in
Abyssinia

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Title: A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the
Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People
Author: Henry Blanc
Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8815] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 10,
2003]

Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTIVITY
IN ABYSSINIA ***

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A NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY IN ABYSSINIA;
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LATE EMPEROR THEODORE,
HIS COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.
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 Gobazé--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 Zagé--Flattery before
Coercion

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