The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-18
A BYs sINIA.
The King OF Tlgre I'm Inter-
view With Napier.
Royal Preparations and Grand
81 Native Turnout"

lay-The Place Of Council-Courtesies by
Cavalry Messengcrs-Hls Majesty in the
SaddIe-His Cortego in Northumberland Ma
pier ON BallSy EIcphnnt-The Sulutntion-
No Entangiing Allinnces-A Free Fight In
y Prospect. a ar.. .I -ai
DouLLo Abyssinia, March4 A, 1868.
was present, the other day. at the most interest
ing event in this warwith the exceptionally Of the
capture Of Magdala itself-namey, the meeting Of
the King OF Tigre with Sir Robert Napier. The event
to have taken place at Attegrat, but as related
IN my last at the last moment his Majesty sent one
OF his ministers to represent him. Probably his
bassador brought back so interesting account OF
this army OF white strangers who were passing
through his country that his Majesty made up his
mind to go in person to see him. Accordingly let
ter was sent to the COMMANDMENTS Chief naming
day upon which the King would arrive near Ad-
Abaga, station two marches from Attegrat and
upon our way to Antalo. The King suggested that
he himself would encamp the previous night at
place called Harzein twelve miles from Ad-Abaga
and that both should then advance and hold their
meeting upon plain about half way between the
two places, called Mai Debar. Two days be-
fore the appointed time the British Commander
m-Cnief set out with q column consisting OF
SIX hundred infantry. three hundred cavalry small
party OF engineers and four tweve-pOunder pieces of
artillery The marches were long and in some places
exceedingly difficult the h, having to be taken
from the guns and the latter pulled up or led down
steep declivltes by the whole force OF the infantry
At last, after two hard marches, we reached Ad-
Abaga, and messengers were at once despatched to
ascertain whether the King Of Tigre had arrived at
Harzen. He was not there, nor, as far as could be
discovered, anywhere within miles Of it; but at the
same time we found that he really had left Adowa,
Ms capital, and was marching toward us Day after
gay we waited at Ad-Abaga. There was no loss of
time in all this delaying, because had we not done so
we must have waited at Analo for stores be accu
mulated there, and better to be consuming our
provisions there than six days further from our base
as the mules were thus able to go back all the sooner
Tor fresh supplies Still 1t was CALLING to wait there
% long at the pleasure Of savage potentate but we
could hardly help ourselves 1t would not pay for us
to quarrel with the King Of Tigre Our line Of CON-
munication is SO enormously long that 1t would be
next to impossible to guard the immense conveys of
baggage animals. In the rough places q hundred or
TWO men rushing suddenly down would do i'm.
mense damage before the baggage guard could be
collected to repel them And even putting aside the
injury the King Of Tgre and his people might do to
us by active opposition, he might completely para
Hze us by passive resistance. he did but order the
people to drive away their iocks and herds from our
line of march and to burn the grass, we should come
to stand still in week. 1t is moral impossibility
that the baggage animals could carry their own food
alone from the sea coast to Magdaa much less pro-
visions for the army. Ft
twas, then, necessary to remain good friends with
T1gre, and to wait few days until he should arrive
ct the place Of meeting Our patience was at last re-
Warded, for on the oath messenger came in with
Harzeln. This news turned out to be correct and
orders were given that the whole force with the ex-
at ococf on e ahe o &
2oth The tents and days rati0ns were to be taken
on, as IL was uncertain at what hour the King might
We arrived at Mai Debar species of basin OF half
through 1t. Here we pitched our camp. and the
engineers went ON to signal the approach OF the
the news that Casa was com inc wS oo
men. AT about twelve O'Clock mass OF people APP
RsatreSd tS on the brow Of the opposite HILL They
tent erected among them, and guessed that 1t was
for the King himself. An officer now went on in
from olr ROBERT Napier, to say that when the King
had rested himself, in an hours time, he would adj.
vance TO meet him ct large tent which had been
lines. At about one O'Clock the buges sounded and
the troops were all formed in line. Three officers
to inform the King that Sir Robert Napier would an
vance when he did. As the little party of cavalry
aud In what perfect order the natives remained.
Tney were drawn up In long line upon both sides
together, and, indeed OF cavalry, awe understand
the word, the Abyssnian has no idea. They ride on
TIe S,o or on very Gs rough little ponies and generally
enable them to perform very long marches for their
ntte mules are extremely hardy and can travel
very long distances. Horse and foot are mingled
together In confused troop, and have no doubt
that when 1t comes to actual fghting the men on
others give leir animals to their attendants and 20
forth to battle on foot There were at least three
could hardly estimate their force with any accuracy
The greater part were armed with firearms muskefs
addition to these they carried sword and Shield The
remainder were armed with spears. The dress of the
footmen similar to that have already described
WI rav .hrnv
Cotton cloth OF The country, the chiefs having the dis
Mngusliing mark % red ends to the CLOTH and coll
wore hons names around the neck. The men of
more Importance wore long garment Of brocaded
SAX, or rich CO or and few very great men had vel
Vet mantes Of red green or violei color. Some who
b. their giving conlnands were evidently generals,
Wore light Co ored silk handkerchiefs over their
heads, and on them tiara OF some white metal Al
together the effect was most picturesque. Outside
composed OF dozen kettle drums, covered with
tightly stretched untanned skins, and on them they
The kettle drums were carried on each side OF a
mule. Arriving near the tent the cavalry halted,
ter. and slghted in front OF the tent.
They then entered, and after being introduced in
formed the King that he Rober Napier) would start
In q few minutes the King came and mounted
his mule An attendant took mis- place either side
and leaned against the mule 80 as to support him In
the saddle, and one OF them held large red SILK um-
bella over the head OF the great man.
body OF four or i've hundred chosen warriors |
formed the advance guard. Some Of the Tigre |
princes with the royal attendants, rode or walked
near his Majesty the British officers rode by his side
and tine cavalry IN their light blue and silver uniform
closed In behind, bright patch Of color in the middle
Oh tne black mass. For none OF Them with the ex-
cepton OF generals and priests wearing any head |
covering and their faces and hair being very black
sne prevailing hue OF an Abysslnian crow Is dark in
the extreme Behind the cavalry the main body OF |
tue Tgre army followed keeping as before perfect
nne Az short distance the incongruity Of horse |
ana 1901 being thus mixed up together became ap-
rem for the males so small that mounted man
really sits no higher than he would II standing
When they were about three parts down the hin, |
and Sir Robert Napier seen approachno
mounted on an elephant with scarlet trappinQs and
with another elephant following and the otcerp of
the star riding beside the advanced guard halted ana
divided In two leaving room for the King his per-
e0nal followers and the British cavalry to mass
ssrougn aney remsn , IN the same position until