The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-03-20

Engl0ied's antagonist, Theodore
King Of .l6yssiHia.

Some forty years ago there lived in
the neighborhood of Gondar a poor wild
ow, who gained living for herself and
son by gathering this herb, kousso Her
son was named Kassa Kuarauya, aud now
occupies the throne of the once so mighty
kingdom of Ethiopia, whose treasures
Makada, Queen of Sheba, brought as
testimony of her admiration to King Sol
omon at Jerusalem. As tradition hath
it, when the queen returned to her native
land, she presented it with a proof of the
admiration King Solomon had had for
her in the shape of son, who was named
Menilek. From this Menilek, who even.
tually became King of Ethiopia, Dejas*
Halo Marian, the father of our hero,
Kassa, traced his descent, and sometimes
his mother is also supposed to be lineal
descendant Of the great Jewish king
The versions vary. AT the death of his
father, Kassa was placed in the monaste-
ry of Tscbanker, near Lake Tanja, where
be was to have been educated as u priest
or debtra
According to an ancient prophecy, a
mighty man named Thcodorus was to
arise, rescue the Holy Sepulchre from the
hands Of Turks, chase them FROM Europe,
and destroy the whole Moslem race from
the face of the earth. This same king
was also destined to restore the holy city
of Jerusalem to its ancient splendor, and
re establish the Abyssinian Church in all
its pristine power aud glory. This cir
cumstaDce exercised no small Influence On
the mind Of young Kassa, especially after
be had become versed in the legends and
traditions of his country daring his stay
at Tchanker, and at last, like Mohammed,
he began to apply them all to himself,
aud believed that he was the man testined
to restore the ancient kingdom of Elhio-
pia to its former power and extent. This
fact, coupled with his natural inclinations,
caused him to seize the first opportunity
to give up his clerical position, and ex,
change the prospects of q mitre for a
crown. This opportunity presented itself
on an occasion Of pedjas Mara's attacking
and pillaging the monastery, from which
Kassa ouly managed to escape with great
difficulty. He now collected number of
kindred spirits, and led wild robbers
life until he felt himself powerful enough
to attack Menene, the mother of the nom
inal King of Abyssinia, kas Ali, and who
kept the province of Dembea under her
rule. As soon as she was advised of Kas-
sa's intentions she placed herself at the
head of her troops, and led them against
the daring Intruder to punish him in per-
son but at the first shock they fed, un-
able to withstand the wild impetuosity
with which the young warrior assaied
them, aud there remained no other choice
for her but to yield up the province of
Dembca to him as her vassal aud offer
him the hand Of her grand daughter Tso
obedie Fortunate in love and fortunate in
war, kassas career was one of almost uu
interrupted success His forces increas-
ed daily, and attacking one prince after
another he soon succeeding in sutjugating
the whole of the country.
At divers times the vanquished chief
tains rebelled again, and amongst them
Menene, who Gent one of Der generals
Ouuderad, against him, a Boosting, con.
ceite Gascon of an AbyssiDian, who had
sworn to take Kassa dead or alive. The
battle was fought near Tchako, and the
issue most disastrous for OunderaI, who
was taken prisoner with the rest of his of
ticers who had not been able to escape e.
According to an ancient custom they were
all invited to Il banquet, and Ounderad's
fear may easily be conceived when he and