Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-15
MARCHING WITH MENELEk
Fifty Thousand Men That Made
twelve Miles in Four Hours.
From the London Times

Fifty Thousand :, Men That Made
Twelve Miles in Four Hours.
From the London Times.
After a very short day IN Ad,s Ah.ho
the capital of Ethiopia, we departed nor+h'
wards with the king of Baromeida which
Hes near Magdala, on the road to the nro,,-
lhce or Ifgre. Doubtless King MeneIek
was anxious for peace, though ready. if
necessary, to use force to suppress anv at
tempt at rebellion on the part of Res
hdhsaScla 1t is quite evident that the
KING IS well aware that civil war would
mean ruin to him at this critical period Of
his reign.
The king left the Gebi, by which name
MS palace at the capital is known. with
niue ceremony. He might have been go
ing Tor quiet evenings ride on his mn1e
instead of being the leader of an immanse
toiioWlng. His face itself displays a Kind
neart and constant considera ton for
those below him, and the results of his
reign SHOWN in the peace which he has
brought to his own country and to The
others bordering upon it, are proofs of his
great power of management and orpaniza
ton.
kings camp, l was struck by the silence
that prevailed, but as soon as the kings
tents were struck the thousands of others
disappeared in rapid succession. On the
M
mers and shawmers and his favorite dogs.
including a famous Dane a present from
the Italian government. Behind him rode
earrvn sas ma aaS ,c or armor-bearers;
crimson cloth, and his shield. Around him
rode or walked number of the higher
oh1c1als and Immediately behind these we
ourselves followed. AS the king had given
an order that we were to be allowed
breathing space we were able to observe
In comfort all around us as we rode along
We passed through country of grassy
valleys bounded by equally grassy hills
crossing frequently from one valley over a
ridge into another. Thus the immense
crowds of people, mounted and on foot
and the innumerable baggage-animais
marched with very broad front not only
stretching across the valley itself but even
extending up the hillsides. On the top of
the hills might be seen and could certain
~ be heard knots Of villagers, who, hav-
ing stripped themselves to the waist out of
respect, calling out together at the top of
their voices. "Janhoi, janhoi" ("the king,
the king'). There We're others, too, who
cried out in the most determined fashion,
Albeit. albeit ('justfce, justice"). and
tried to rush past the orderlies, who were
armed with shafts of spears to clear the
way. They received a torrent of blows,
but, In spite of these, made earnest en-
deavors to catch the kings eye. If they
could have done this they knew their Gag.
would have been heard
Once the king, changing from the mule
he rode on to a beautiful gray pony wheel
ed to flank. This was signal for all
who could to mount horses and follow him.
and Immediately we found ourselves can
tering over an endless stretch of excellent
turf with a crowded mass of Irregular
horsemen. Presently large body of them
galloped out to the front, while the king
checked his horse to walk. He was about
to vary the march with an exhibition of
'guks,' or sham fight on horseback Those
in advance suddenly wheeled round and
galloped at full speed in very fair line
toward the king until they We're within
very short distaneeJr Then, quickly throw
ing their spear shafts, pulling up, and
wheeling round again, they retired in
haste. to be followed Immediately by a
number of warriors from the kings side.
Some Of the riders were as agile as cats in
jumping fromatheir steeds, seizing their
shafts and remounting again. Great dex-
terity was, shown insthrowing these weap-
ons which, even without spearhead are
capable of giving very nasty knock. The
king himself, though over fifty years of
age, frequentlyiled His party into the fray,
and proved himself to be no mean horse
man or spear-throWer.
In this way We fought our way to a new
camping ground, and while the kings
tents were being pitched We sat with him
on the summit of a hill from which we
could watch the masses flowing into camp
The most noticeable feature was the arrf-
val of Queen Taitou, who, seated on a
dark brown mule, was protected by an ex-
traordinarily large red umbrella while a
great number of her lady attendants made
a gay scene with their differently and
brightly celored sunshades In front of
her were a number of musicians piping on
reed instruments. These We're preceded
by formidable guard of horse soldiers.
and a body of equal number brought up
the rear. AS the party passed close by we
showed our respect Cor the empress, not
by following the example of the villagers
in stripping ourselves to the waist, but in
saluting.
The pitching OF the kings tent Indicated
how the other tents were to be placed. and
the direction in which the door of Meme
lexis tent faced gave the direction of the
march on the morrow. So complete were
the camping arrangements that, although
there must have been over 1000 souls and
10000 mules, ponies and donkeys, every