New-York tribune., 1900-04-02
IN NENELIK'S COUNTRY.
EXPERIENCES OF AN AMERICAN EXPLoR-
ING PARTY IN ABYSSINIA.

lNG PARTY IN ABYSSlNIA.
London March 21.-The Associated Press has re-
cefved the following account OF the expedition
under James J. Harrison and w Fitzhugh White
mouse, or Newport. r. l., who. according to latest
telegraphic advices. have arrived Menelks cap
itaL and have started into the far interior of
Abyssinia. The last news comes from Zuquata on
the Hawash River, a point about seventy miles
southwest of Ads Abeba and report all we'll 1t is
not expected that further intelligence will be
had until the party after having reached and left
Lake Rudolf, about five hundred miles further
southwest, come a point on the SObat River
or the Nile, near Fort Nassa. old fort south of
Fashoda and about five hundred miles from Khar-
toum From this point they would proceed by
water to the latter place. The distance from Lake
Rudolf TO the Nile is about five hundred miles
through a co Intry largely unexpIored and the
route extremely difficult account OF natural OBJ
stacles AMI the probable lack of both water and
supplies, as the country has been frequently
ravaged by native raiding tribes.
The party. which consists of J. ] Harrison "
F. Whitehouse Powell Cotton and A Butter left
Zeila on the Red Sea. early in November with a
caravan consisting of a large number of natives a
portion OF them well armed. and about eighty
ca-nels. They were accompanied by a competent
surveyor. who has had eighteen years experience
IN Africa. and taxidermist. while the head man.
Somal, is the one who recently travelled with
captain Wellby to Lake Rudolf On leaving the
coast the party proceeded by entirely new route
" <.ulS ADeDa the capital OF Emperor Menelik
about three hundred miles distant arriving on Jan
uary l. The rate of progress was necessarily very
SLOW About ten miles a day was a good average
the march being largely made before daylight
when IT was bitterly cold to avoid the intense heat
which prevailed later.
This route has been "a aref,,II,, s,,-,,o,.o, -,
is likely to be of large advantage Four davs after
leaving the coast the party fell in with abundant
game and some very specimens were fortu-
ateiy secured while deer, antelope, hartbeest and
mppopotam were found in abundance About four
days before reaching Menelik's capital a herd NJ
ABOUT one hundred elephants were encountered
twenty large bulls fell TO the rifles of the marty
aIter an exciting and somewhat dangerous sport
7S the elephants had been recently hunted bv the
natives and were exceedingly wary Hundreds OF
natives hocked to the spot TO enjoy a feast and
many insisted upon shaking hands with the white
hunters, In appreciation of generous meal Tho
valuable ivory was carried forward and presented
20 'ne Negus, who, however. courteOusly begged
Mt butter and Mr.. Whitehouse to retain each a
pair or tusks Of their first elephant spoiIs
Inc caravan left about fifteen nni1as ,-,r,
the capital, TO which the party proceedad ord
were most courteously received by Captain Har-
'ston' the British Resident. and his secretary
Nj balrd The residence of King Menelik is two
S'ory building, with extensive courtyards in the
centre or large plain. which is scattered an
immense number of crude huts containing Drob-
aoF twenty thousand people. The party attred
IN raultless dress suits. but riding sorry r71Ias
INTO the courtyard. were received in audience the
next day The King is described as a man OF
ABOUT H1ty-eight years Of age, of dark complexion
marked with smallpox. with a slight gray heard
ana brilliant dark eyes. He has a keen and
thoughful face. and through Interpreter con-
Versed lnteligently with his guests He inquired
par aruculary from what part Of America Mr. White
mousse had come, and, remarking on the very great
distance. expressed the hope that they would have
successful trip and carry away a good account OF
nus donlnlons' promising them guides and a safe
conduct He offered guides any of them who
Hsht desire TO shoot hex in the unexplored region
north of his capital The offer of this rare snort
so impressed Captain Powell Cotton that he ac-
cepted it, and to the regret of his companions left
later on his solitary hunting trip The King in
vted the party to dine with him on Christmas Day
Old style, January s. when he entertained them
right royalty with cooked meats, raw meats being
served 70 the several thousand natives assembled
at the feast
The Negus. who at the audience was seated
crossegged a divan with pink satin cushions
was dressed like an Eastern potentate His head
was covered with white muslin drawn tight on the
skull and with many folds on the forehead and
at the side of the head. He a fine rose cut
diamond stud in the left ear a plain gypsy ring
on the little finger of the right hand. white trou-
sers, coat of green and yellow striped silk a
black satin coat with gold braid and lined with
The party was Hospitality entertained by Captain
Harrington in his comfortable compound and by
dinner at the French Agents. where a crude
building was transformed on the inside bv rich
silks and tapestries, while the table spread
with appropriate silver. china and glass
Two days later Coursing after jackal offered
BY the King who was present at the sport. which
was novel. but not exciting was expected.
The party later returned to the caravan when
they marched south about fifty miles and after
a halt for day proceeded to Zuquala The cara
van. which then consisted of sixty-two camels and
sixty natives, with the original party Except Cap
tain Powell Cotton. will proceed by the chain Of
lakes toward the Walamo country. whose chief
has been advised OF their coming. Along this route
there will be serious work for the cameIs as the
country Is very hilly. but Lake Stephanie should
be reached without difficulty. The entire route is
being surveyed Including important hills as land
marks. on the top of one of these discovered
the ruins of city, which had been well and closely
built, with streets about three-quarters of
mile in length. probably constructed by Arabs
many hundreds of years ago. II is possible that a
runner may bring in later Ads Aheba,
otherwise. no further intelligence may be expected
before the middle of May.
BURGLAR LEAVES TRAIL OF BLOOD.