Passaic City record., 1892-02-27


these hardy mountaineers consider well
worthy of notice.
Conspicuous amid the crowd Of richly
dressed native attendants that surround
the sNehgus" Gas the Abyssinian King
is called) is the figure of tall and portly
man in gorgeously embroidered robe,
with fat, shining disk of metal hang
ing upon his breast at the end of light
silver chain, this being the badge of his
Office as the Kings head cook. The post
is one of the best in the whole kingdom,
but it has its drawbacks, the holder of it
being bound to remain unmarried, and
never to quit the court without the spe-
cial leave of the King himself, which is
seldom if ever given. Moreover, among
this high functionary's countless duties is
the tasting of every article of food or
drink, no matter what it may be, which
is to be set before his royal master.
One very characteristic feature of this
strange court still remains to be de-
scribed. A little apart from the throng
you will notice large group of hand
some native girls of various ages. from
thirteen to sixteen, arrayed in pictur-
esque national costume and adorned with
barbaric national finery. A painter might
object to their receding chins and thick,
pouting lips, but their black, lustrous
melting eyes, their long silky hair and
the wonderful symmetry of their slim,
graceful forms, are study worthy of
Titan himself.
Should the King be pleased with your
address, or with the presents which
every one is bound to offer him, he will
request or rather command you to take
three or four of these beauties away
with you as your wives. By native Gus
tom it is death for any man to decline
a gift offered by the King in person.
Strangely enough, the young ladies
themselves appear to be quite satisfied
with the custom which thus transfers
them from one master to another like
sheep or cattle. Once gwen into your
possession, an Abyssinian girl will toll
for you, fight for you, and, if need
should be, die by your side on the bat
tle6eld-more than one weird story
being current here Of slender, dark faced
soldiers who were seen fighting side by
side with some of the Italian officers in
the great battle two years ago, and who,
when found lying dead over the corpses
of those whom they had striven in vain
to defend, were discovered to be women
in disguise.
Only once within the memory Of living
men has that strange gift been offered
and refused. When the terrible King
John reigned over Abyssinia--a ryrant
whose merciless cruelty was rendered
doubly formidable by the dauntless cour-
age and great abilities by which it was
supported-there came to him on pub
lie mission a spare, muscular, clear eyed
English officer, who had written his
name in history some years before as
"Chinese Gordon"
In the courtyard of the Kings palace
the two men met-the strong, swarthy
Abyssinian in his gorgeous white and
crimson dress, with gold rings in his
ears and lionskin sash across his bare,
brawny chest; the Englishman in his
plain, well-worn uniform, with the look
of calm, fearless confidence that had kept
up the dropping spirits of his soldiers
on many hard-fought battlefield. Be-
hind them stood four beautiful native
slave girls, looking wondcringly with
their large liquid eyes at the strange
warrior from beyond the sea who dared
to face their terrible master and talk to
him as an equal.
John pointed to the women and bade
his guest take them for his wives as
gift from the King.
1t was certain death to refuse and Cor
don knew it, but he never hesitated one
moment. He drew himself up sternly
and his deep, firm voice rang out clear
and untalteringly as ever.
81 am Christian, and what you offer
me is forbidden by my religion. Slay
me if you will-but I will not do this
thingw
The indrawn breath of the affrighted
bystanders sounded like hiss amid that
dead silence, as they watched to see the
daring speaker cut down. The two men
looked at each other. For moment
Gordon's life hung by hair, but the
grim despot felt that he had for once
met stronger man than himself and let
hum go unharmed, muttering in tone
of stern and reluctant admiration.
ssThat man is greater than king!"