The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-29
THE AMAZON QUEEN.
A Courageous African Princess yCba Iea A.
Her Own Cavalry

A Courageous African Princess yCba I,ead A.
Her Own Cavalry.
There is something peculiarly ammo.
pirate in the fact that the leading gem
eral and vassal sovereign of the Emperor
Of Abyssinia, who claims to be able to
trace his descent in an unbroken line To
the Biblical Queen of Sheba, should be a
woman. The lady is Queen Jostero Mas.
tero, and she commands the magnificent
Gala cavalry division of Menelelx's
army. A member of the warlike Gala
nation, she first became connected with
the Abyssinian empire in rather pecu-
liar manner in 1887. 1t was just about
that time that Prince Area Seiassie. the
only son and heir apparent of the late
Negus Johannes, was sojourning with
his tutor and mentor, General, or ssRas."
Michael, in the town of Sulul on the
Galla-Abyssinian boz de-, where he ham
pened to contract an intimacy with the
only son of the Gala queen
On one memorable day, when a fair
was being held in the town, the two
young princes amused themselves bv
performing divers feats of equestrian
ism, among others that known as tent
pegging, in which the rider transfixes
with his lance tent peg stuck in the
ground while dashing past at full GAL
lop. The young son of the Gala Queen
greatly excelled in this particular form
Of sport. and left Prince Area Selassie
far behind. The latter, goaded to fury
by the jeers which his frequent failures
to touch the peg excited among the on
lockers in the market-place. at length
ended by drawing his revolver and fir
ing point-blank at the Queens son, who
only escaped with his life and sustained
several serious wounds.
On becoming aware of the treatment
to which her boy had been subjected,
the Gala Queen became greatly en-
ragged, and vowed vengeance. She imme.
diately caused the tam-tam to be sound
cd, and having summoned a body of
5000 cavalry to arms, placed herself at
their head, and three days later inflict-
ed such lesson on the arrogant Prince
Area as he was not likely to forget.
Three hundred of his followers and adj
herents were massacred in cold blood by
her mounted warriors, and the young
imperial prince was subjected to most
ignominious treatment before being al
lowed by the Queen to take his depart
ure from the district
Curiously enough, his father, the
frantic Negus Joan, instead of taking
steps to punish the good lady for her
conduct toward the imperial lad, deter
mined to win her over to his side. He
was shrewd enough to realize that such
a dashing cavalry General would
be more preferable as friend than
as foe. He, therefore, lost no
time in contracting an offensive and
defensive alliance with her, almost
overwhelmed her with honors, pres
ents and dignities, and finally intrusted
her with the command of his magnifi-
cent cavalry, which is recruited mainly
from the members of the Gala tribe,
which is renowned throughout the
world for its superb equestrianism and
for its perfect physique. 1t was at the
head of the imperial cavalry that she
took part in the 1888 campaign against
the Italians, and it is she who was held
responsible for the terrible massacre of
the Arab and Musselman inhabitants Of
the district of Ailet. who were rightly
or wrongly suspected of entertaining
sympathies for the Italians.
Emperor John was subsequently
speared to death by the Soudanese der
wishes in the battle of Metemmeh, his
only son having come to an umtimely
end some six months previously by
means of poison, which is believed to
have been administered by one of the
principal officers of the army, possibly
by the Gala Queen herself. She has,
therefore, given her allegiance to the
new Emperor of Negus, Menelek, and
constituted not only one of the most
picturesque but also the most important
feature of the army with which the
Ethiopian monarch marched toward
Adowah. Although no longer young
her appearance is asserted to have re-
tanned certain number of charms,
among which may be included most
commanding and impressive carriage
and presence Her apparel is magnifi-
cent, according to the Abyssinian no.
tions, and her wrists, ankles, throat and
hair are decked with gold amulets and
jewels. She is always splendidly mount
ed on a horse, which she rides seated
astride, man-fashion, and which she man.
ages with marvellous skill.-N. Y. Tribune