The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-18 00:00:00

SCENE AFTER THE BATTLE.

The scene was very shocking. In one or two narrow
gorges in which they had been pent up, fifty or sixty dead
bodies lay almost piled together. Very ghastly were their
wounds. There was a man, nearly blown to pieces with a
shell ; near him another, the upper part of whose head had
been taken off by a rocket ; then, again, one who lay as if
in a peaceful sleep, shot through the heart ; next to him
one less fortunate, who, by the nature of hie wound
had lingered in agony for hours through this long night
before death brought a welcome relief. Two of them only
still lived, and they were carried into camp, but their
wounds were of so desperate • nature that it was pro-
bable they could not live many hours. Strangely
enough, there were no wounds of • trifling nature. All
who had been almost at the point of death had either
managed to crawl ►way or bad been removed by their
friends. With a very few exoeptione It was a charnel place of
dead, whose gaudy silk and coloured robes were in ghastly
cortrast with their stiffened and contorted attitudes.
Among the few survivors was the commander-in-chief of
Theodore's army, who was carried to the camp. He, like
the others we were able to succour, expressed his gratitude
for our kindness, and said the affair had been • complete
surprise to them. They saw what was apparently a train
of baggage without protection, coming up the valley, and
apparently had not noticed our small body of infantry
upon the brow.

The night after the battle was one of extreme
hardship, and by dawn every man was again under
arms, ready for the assault. An unexpected event
here occurred.

ARRIVAL OF CAPTIVREL
Early in the forenoon a small perky was seen to deemed
from Magdala, conspicuous in which were a British uniform
and a nag of truce. They were two chiefs from Misdate,
with Mr. Flad and Lieutenant Prideanx, who had been
sent to effect a reconciliation between Theodorus and the
English. Cheers announced their arrivalineamp,which was
soot is a blase of excitement. Towards mid-day they re-
turned to Theodore with the answer that he must sur-
render the captive., =conditionally, and submit to the
Queen of England. From this his proud spirit revolted,
and he sent the same two once more, saying he would
give the captives up unless the English aided him
to regain his kingdom. Sir Robert Napier's position was
an unenviable oar ; it is easy to see how Ms
answer might affect the issue of the campaign,
perhaps frustrate its =mess. He meditated long ; but he
played the Roman, and the messengers returned with no
answer. It was a sad parting, but one that soon was
turned into joy, for on their way up the hill tlwe me.
Captain Cameros. Kr. Sameni, and all the =here except
Mr,. Flad and see= of the artisans' families. This morn-
ing another demand was made, the result of which has
been that there is not tonight a aingie Eurepeast captive
in Usgdala except If. Bardel, who represented that he
was unabla to leave * esseequemee of sunstroke.
The M. Bardel referred to is the Frenchman who
has been suspeoted of poisoning Theodore's mind
%Mitt the oiptitrill: Pie * blind afterward's ill,
in a tent outside Itegdala. Ali the captive. are ,
well, and, with the exceptibn of poor Captain

br-r.

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