The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-24 00:00:00

THE ABYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.

Writing on the 6th January, the Rev. H. A. Stern
says :—" We are on the tiptoe of expectation. The great
Negoos, serpent-like, is crawling on. He, however, is not
yet here. There is still between him and us the Djiddah ;
and not until he has passed that gulf do I expect to see
him on this Amba. The Waagshum has retreated towards
the Tacazzie, but I believe this is a mere stratagem to
allure his blood enemy into the chasm, where, hemmed in
by lofty rocks and perpendicular precipices, a complete
victory may be easily purchased. If the Waagshum is not
even a more dastardly coward than all the other rebel chiefs,
he will ZOvail himself of the opportune moment and frus-
trate our oppressor's design. He has, unsolicited, pledged
his word to Mr. Rassam to effect this, and if he is
faithful to his voluntary engagement he will merit our
deepest gratitude. The King, lam led to think, suspects
some treachery, Tor in bislatest proclamation he renounced
all intention of coming here, after the most valuable bag-
gage, the prisoners and some of the most useless Europeans
such as the most luckless fugitives, Mr. 3. Rosenthal, and:
perhaps, Mr. and Mrs. clad and the children, were safely
lodged in our fortres.t. Whether he is aware of the pro-
3eedings (the preparations of the army) on the coast or not
no one can possibly conjecture. His messages to us, and
particularly to Mr. Rassam, during the past week
have been most flattering, though every one of our party
knows how to appreciate such unmeaning trash. lam
quite quiescent about the probable contingencies that may
yet arise. God in His mercy has hitherto, as I have
repeatedly stated, most wonderfully succoured and de-
fended us ; and now, when deliverance is almost at the
door of our prison, I will not suffer a few transient clouds
to overshadow my bright future. About the movement of
the troops we have not heard a word. I yearn to see them,
as I want (God willing) to be with you next Easter."
In a letter from Magdala, dated December 30, Captaia
Cameron thus writes to a friend who had interested himself
in his behalf :—" I see by the papers that you were one of
the first to urge the liberation of myself and fellow-prisoners
by force of arms. It is impossible for me not to thank
you. No one could have deprecated war with this
country more than myself up to a certain point. But
after I heard, years ago, that the King had received two
letters from Rassam and not answered them, I saw no
hope, except from troops ; and, with the exception of the
few days when, thanks to the King's extraordinary
duplicity, Rassam's mission seemed a success, my opinion
has been the same ever since. At any rate, we are in for
it now, and there is not much use in writing—facts
will prove themselves. My own belief is, that if our people
press on without delay to the high country, there will
be little or no loss from local diseases ; as to fighting,
there will be none. Once hemmed in—and we have troops
enough to effect this—the King must take his choice of
being shelled or slashed to death with his horde of ragh-
muffins, or surrendering at discretion. I always suppose
that there will be no promises made or parleying on our
account. This would be the height of folly ;at least I
think so. The first thing is to know what attitude he
*ill assume. One way or other he ought to be thrashed
in a very short time. Even if he manages to slip
through our fingers the result will be the same.
His own people will kill him sooner or later. We don't
know what may happen to us in the meantime ; but it is
an inexpressible relief to know, whatever turn things may
take, this misery must soon come to an end. Anything
better than lingering on in this way—to die at last of heart-
break or starvation, or both. Theodore, the king, has
been threatening to kill one of the Europeans. If one
were killed, the rest would soon follow. Remember me
kindly to Sir Henry Rawlinson ; I see he has acted in the
right.spirit. See, I still hope to thank my friends some
day in person. The mail is closing, so I must finish."