The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-05-09 00:00:00

THE ABYSSINIAN PRISONERS.

The following letters have been received by the Pall
Mall Gazette from Lieutenant Prideaux :
'4 Maga:till, March 21.
. . . . .

"his Majesty is at the foot of the mountain, and expected
up here tornorrmv, if not h.-day. I suppose you have heart
before this that Mr Hassan, had hi, chains taken off on the
lath. Mr. Flat] arrived here as the hearer of a letter from
his Majesty. and instructions that Mr. Rassant's chains
should be I Toned, which was accordingly done. Mr. Flail
stated in a lett,r to his wife to-day that the King had in-
firmed hint that On his arrival here he would release us all
from mar chains.

'• March it.
" Otte line to say we are well. His Majesty is at SalantO,
where the weekly Magdala market is hold; in fact, one
loarter of an hour's distance from where I ant at present
writing Ile is still civil, but has not opened any more
chains. Ile has given Mr. Had permission to issue rip here,
but of course he uses the privilege with caution. Ile came
up last night, and had breakfast with us this morning. It is
said that his Majesty w ill take conmel with Mr. Rassam
about what is to be done. and it is then probable our
chains will be opened.

NlFch 28.

'Yesterday morning the King paid a visit ti;il;.;;Mn-
tllin, not, however, on any business c •ted with no. Ile
occupies himself solely in arranging the affairs of the Ambit.
The chiefs and soldiers had been squabbling so much among
themselves that at first His Majesty gave orders that the
whole personae/ of the garrison should be changed, much to
the chagrin of the old friends among whom we have lived
for more than twenty months lint this morning fresh orders
arrived to the effect that a new officer should Inc appointed in
place of the Ras, unit I believe about twenty more chiefs, in
whom His Majesty places much confidence, will be added to
the stroorth of the garrison. 'rhis has (mite restored cheer-
ulness to the face, of the former men. The new chief is saint to
be not a barl fellow, and of more force of character than his
predecessor.

The King while here sent polite messages to Mr. Rassato,
and said that he knew the English troops were near, and
that he was prepare,' to meet them. Near or not, we
have had no further news of then, His Majesty is to-day
employed in making a good road op the noaintaln fir his big
gun, which will probably arrive at the top in a week or ten
days.

" March M

You will all be glad to leant that the day loch ore yoster-
day the King Woo gracious enough to release Pr. Blanc and
myself from air ,hains—an event fir which we were opine
Unprepared. At In p.m. on Saturday night Italic Blanc and
myself were informed that we were to receive state other in-
mates in our room—Cameron, Rosenthal, and Kerans—and
were to be strictly watched all night. Four guards with
lighted candles remained in the same room with us, and led
us to surnmse that we might expert something unpleasant
on the nkorroW. We were, however, agreeably disappointed.
In the course oof the following day his Majesty visited the
nniilnitajli, About half all hoer after his arrival he sent Mr.
Flail with a message too Mr Rassam to the effect that lie
might expect an interview, and shortly after be was sum-
moned to the presence of his Majesty. A silk tent had
been pitched elk the plain, carpets bad been spread, and
everything had been done for the reception of the envoy in
proper Ethiopian state. on Mr. Russam's departure we
naturally felt a little anxious, but were soon cheemd up by
the arrival of Mr. Had, who informed us that at the solicit,
lion of Mr. Raman, 4tar chains hall been ordered to be
opened. As magi as the irons had been knocked off we re-
paired to his Majesty's presence and were most graciously
received. All the copversation that passed I cannot re-
member, except that it may be described as being id rather a
humourous character, his Majesty loving in excellent spirits,
and not the least in rambytie's vein. We remained about a
optarter of an hour with the King, drank a glass oof VA), and
then departed, his Majesty's son, a fair little boy about seven
years of age, and all the European artisans accompanying
ea home, It is it great relief to have the chains off, although
In other iespects we are watched as strictly as ever. The
King, however, before leaving the Arnim, commanded that
for the future no guards should sleep in the Tooke of his
'friends,' although the other prisoners have still tot submit to
this infliction. Yesterday morning a message was sent to
the five Germans, Who lately arrived here, asking If they
were willing to work for his Majesty. Mr. Seidner, one of
them, is a atonelikatkon by calling in fact, Niagdala Ilan lately
lwen the seat of Mkt a Trade Inittit , and the King was de-
sirous of itavleg scene stone balls, for lkis cannons, made.
Having intimated their willingness b serve, their foot elmikka
were taken off, hand chains rnbatituted, mid down they
went This morning they have been entirely released from
their fetters, and I trust that in a few days the same may be
said the prisoners."