Meade County news., 1917-03-08

by sloping knoll. From afar in the
distance faint murmur suddenly
arose. The noise increased rapidly un-
til 1t seemed almost like the frenZied
Shouting of terror-strlcken persons.
The Americans, not knowing what to
expect, dismounted. This move had
scarcely been accomplished when over
the crest of the hill appeared tum.
bling writhing mass of balloons and
monkeys, charging in wild disorder di.
rectly toward the party. The plunging
herd numbered thousands in strength,
the creatures all In seemingly insane
state of agitation. VOlley after volley
was fired into the animal army, which,
alarmed at the fusillade, suddenly
swerved sharply to the right, and
passed the caravan at close range.
Throughout the route the territory
of dozens of tribes were traversed, but
many of these were under the rulership
of King Menelik and the reception
given the travellers was of the most
bountiful the country could offer. They
were feted and dined on the fat of the
land, and in many places were given
one of the palaces of the village in
which to pass the night. At times,
long before a settlement was reached,
they would be met by thousands of the
natives. In their naked state they
danced about them jubilantly, and with
weird music and shouting escorted the
party into the precincts of the city.
"The habits of King MenelilI's sub
jects are most peculiar, and their va
rious customs as displayed to us would
fill book. Many of them were of tall,
sturdy physique, their height enhanced
by their thick mop of coarse hair, Of
times half q foot in length, which stood
every person killed by them the men
wear feather in their hair, and eX-
tremely proud are those who flaunt a
goodly number of this insignia.
''1n the journey over the arid wastes
many sand storms were encountered
These tempests sweep up with appal-
ling suddenness, and the tiny particles
make travel impossible. The approach
of such a blast is always presaged
=" hours, and even days, before the gale
bursts, by the action of the camels, who
become restless, and snort repeatedly.
Long before sweeping sand clouds ap-
pear on the horizon these intelligent
creatures throw themselves upon the
ground and bury their noses in the soft
soil.
In Adds Abeba.
. ARRIVING at the capital, the recep-
ton of King Menelik's subjects was
most vOciferOus. Thrcngs of the pOpu-
lace swooped down upon the cavalcade
and SO intermingled with them as to
make any semblance of order impOs-
sible. AS the American detachment
entered the city crude band of Afri-
can instruments struck up "The Star
Spangled Banner" King Menelik him
self received the wanderers and every
possible hospitality was lavlshed upon
them, and they were given the freedom
Of the city and lodged in close prox.
unity to the palace-a structure much
like barn in this country.
"Addis Abeba, the capital city, has
many thousand inhabitants. The houses
were mostly crude matted structures
of but few feet in height. A wonder
full zoo was kept by the king, and in
this were captive specimens Of all the
beasts of the jungle. The dOnkeys have
been interbred so much that their stat
ure has become stunted and many
were scarcely more than q foot high,
yet with large heads and huge ears
resembling in many ways q strange
species of rabbit.
"The Americans were anxious to get
hold of several of the animals to trans
port out of curiosity, but there are
strict rules guarding against taking the
creatures from the country.
"TwO weeks were spent at the mon
arch's stronghold before the return trip
was commenced. Prior to the depar-
ture, King Menelik shook hands with
all members Of the expedition and pre-
sented each with gold medal as
souvenir. On one side Of the ornament
was his own profile and on the other
two llons under which were inscribed
the words, Lion Among Lions, King
Among Kings Besides concluding a
successful treaty with the king, the ex-
pedltiOn brought out many relics and
curios for the Smithsonian institution"
/