The Captive Missionary: being an account of the country and people of Abyssinia. Embracing a narrative of King Theodore's life, and his treatment of political and religious missions

Front matter

THE CAPTIVE MISSIONARY. THE CAPTIVES. V and cn,LD. PIETRO. CAMERON. THE CAPTIVE MISSIONARY BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE OF ABYSSINIA. EMBRACING a of &mo; Cfao&ore's AND HIS TREATMENT OF POLITICAL AID RELIGIOUS MISSIONS, BY THE REV. HENRY A. STERN, AUTHOR OP "WANDERINQa AMONG THE FAiASHAS/* LONDON : CASSELL, PETTER, AND GALPIN, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. ; AND 596, BKOADWAY, NEW YORK. LIEUT. -QENEKAL THE RIOHT HONOURABLE LOED NAPIER OF MAGDALA, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., WHOSE WISDOM, ENERGY, AND VALOUR PLANNED, EXECUTED, AND, WITH THE DIVINE BLESSING, SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED THE OBJECT OF THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION, fflps Mrnat IS, WITH PEEMISSION, DEDICATED, A9 A TOKEN OF PROFOUND BEGAKD AND ESTEEM, BY ONB OF THE VICTIMS OF KING THEODORE'S DTBAHNT. PACE 1 2 7 CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Mutual Feuds and Hostilities in Abyssinia, — Theodore — His Birth and Parentage — Leaves his Mother and flees to Tschangar — Atrocity of Dejatch Marou — Confou, Uncle of Theodore — His Death — Intestine Strife between his Sons — Theodore takes Refuge at Saragie — Turns Bandit — Schemes of Empire — Ancient Prophecies and Traditions — Theodore's Popularity and Growing Power — Woisero Menin attempts to crush him — Defeat by the Turks — Fever at Tschangar — Insulted by the Queen — Civil War — Defeat of the Queen — Ras Ali — Battle of Aishal — Victory of Theodore — Schemes for Subjugation of the Gallas — Shoa and Tigre — Battle of Semien — Capture of Amba Boahil — Coronation of Theodore — Treachery to the Princes — Victories over the Shoanes and Gallas — Quarrel with the Church . ...

Chapter II

Theodore Triumphant — His Conduct towards Egypt — France and England — Social Condition of the Empire — His Hatred of the Egyptians and Turks — He imprisons the Viceroy's Ambassador, and is unappeased by the arrival of another Minister from Egypt — Arrival of Consul Cameron and M. Lejean — Imprisonment of the French Representative — Consul Cameron's return — Theodore's Hostility to the English is excited — Success of the English Missionary

Chapter III

Return from Missionary Tour — Invitation from the King — Feast of St. John — Interview with Theodore— M. Bardel's Account of his Mission — Wounded Pride — Dismissal of M. Lejean — Gloomy Forebodings — Discordant Sounds — Departure for CONTENTS. PAGE 33 89 the Coast — Unfavourable Symptoms — Visit to the Royal Camp — Violence of the King — Execution of my Servants- Personal Maltreatment — Feeling of Desolation — Keen Suffer ings — Abyssinian Surgery — Honest. Tears — My Chains — My Consolation .......... . CHAPTEE IV. Summons from the King — Painful Journey — Compassion of the Guards — Sagacious Servant — Note from the Aboona — Kind Assurances — Interview with the King — Camp Prison — Numerous Guards — Keen Sufferings — Stupor — Prison Diet — Appointment of my Judges — Arrival of the Missionary ' Agents — Postponement of Verdict — My Baggage ransacked — Vague Hopes — Suspended Negotiation — Generous Exertions of the Metropolitan — Redeeming Love an unfailing Comfort — Joseph's Forebodings — Fidelity of Servants — Thrilling News — Bright Anticipation — Misplaced Confidence — Vain Conjectures — Seizure of my Property — Photographic Lore — Brutality of my Gaolei-s — Crippling Fetters — An ever-present Saviour — Frugal Diet . . . . .63

Chapter V

Conflicting Rumours — Vigilance of the Guards — Degenerate Taste — Midnight Discussion — Removal of my Foot-chains — Theodore's Court of Justice — Code of Laws — Forestalled Condemnation — Charges against Myself, Mr. Rosenthal, and Mrs. Flad — Revolting Baseness — The Royal Pedigree — A Challenge — Sickening Existence — Dragged back to Prison — Visit of Executioners — A Dangerous Bill-book — Fresh Maltreatment — Slow Progress of Time — The Tyrant's Speculations — Freedom at the Expense of Truth — Fluctuations of Hope and Fear — A Revolting Sight — The Prisoners Stripped — Terrible Night — Anticipated Execution — Miti°-ation of our Wretchedness — Valuation of Silks — Royal Messages — Strange Garments — Compelled to write Letters .to Europe — Consul Cameron's unfortunate Request

Chapter VI

Gethsemane a Captive's Comfort — January 3rd — Consul Cameron chained — Prison Discipline — Samuel's Smiles — Brave Conduct of Mrs. Flad and Rosenthal — Seizure of a Doll — Cross-fire of Questions — A Warning Text — Death CONTENTS. IX PAGE 120 deprived of its Terrors— Sham Reconciliation— An Accession of Prisoners— Fortunate Incident— Royal Inquisitiveness— French Consul's Protest — Release of Six Prisoners—Per plexing Stipulation— Extensive Conversions— Religion and Cannon — Confident Anticipations of Release— M. Bardel's Imprisonment — Charges against him— Sad Disappointment

Chapter VII

Prison Discussions— Release of Rosenthal — Dangerous Controversy — Isaiah's Censures — Dissatisfaction in the Army — Quarrel between the King and Aboona — Episcopal Visit — Trumpery Charges — Divine Support— The enraged Monarch — Rope Torture — Removal of the Cords — Fluctuating Emotions — Artfulness of Samuel — Renewed Tortures — Maddening Sensation — Royal Interrogations — Pandemonium — Thoughts of Suicide — Terrible Warning — False Alarm — Firmness of the Aboona — King's Confession — Reconciliation — A misunderstood Letter 143

Chapter VIII

Winter— Unsheltered Prison — Foot Chains — Religion subdues the Temper — Prison Diet — Small-pox and Famine — Exchange of Fetters — An unhappy Couple — March of the Army — Revolting Sights — New Prison Ground — Deluging Torrents — Prison Rations — Cruelty to Prisoners — Gondar — Exorbitant Fines — Designs of the new Metropolis — A partial Amnesty — Festive Day — Exhausting March — A Wet Night — Advance to Ferga — Consul Cameron and M. Makerer — Remedy against Stoicism — Better Diet — Alcoholic; Influence — Promised Release — Artful Rumour — Resignation — Departure to Magdala 169

Chapter IX

Jan Meeda — Unappreciated Scenery — Strange Companions — Warning Beacons — Descent into the Beshilo — A Feast of Air — Makerer in Trouble — Ascent to Magdala — Forewarning Symptoms — Amba Home — Change of Manacles — Precautionary Measures — Prisoners' Wives — Prison Life — New Dormitory — Limited Space — Nocturnal Squabbles- Sunny Visions Eclipsed — Theodore's Perfidy — Destructive . Foray ' X PAGE 213 CONTENTS.

Chapter X

Death of Ahmadee Busheer — Villany Triumphs — Revolt in Shoa— Guerilla War— Disastrous Campaign— Cruel Scene —Vain Negotiations— Prince Menilek— Want of Gallantry — Disagreeable News — Massacre of Gallas — Atrocious Orders— Good Advice— The Negoos and Metropolitan- Defiant Attitude of the Aboona— Unprovoked Resentment- Additional Fetters— Ingratitude— The Penitent Thief- Captured Galla Women — Royal Diversions — Fictitious Victory

CHAPTER XL

Departure of the King — Seeking for Truth — Opposition of the Priests — Triumphs of Truth — Death in Prison — Small-pox — Sympathy Unappreciated — Chains Tightened — The Young Pilgrim — Brief Career — Mournful Funeral — Considerate Guards — Nightly Torments — Incipient Sickness — Colocynth Pills — Sickness Forestalled — Kerans a Dentist — Makerer an Oculist . . . ... . . . 230 CHATTER XII. Hope Deferred — Embarrassing Negotiations — Approach of Mr. Bassam — The Artisans' Disappointment — Delightful Message — Removal of Fetters — Strange Sensation — Departure from Magdala — Ominous Intelligence — Arrival at Gaflat — Camp of Mr. Eassam — Order of March — Samuel's Kiss — Theodore's Dissimulations — Malicious Charges — New Garments — Sham Trial — Alleged Offences — Forced Admission — Eoyal Satisfaction — Solomon's Seal — Suspicious Intimations 245 CHAPTEE XIII.

Easter Day — An Ambiguous Compliment — Contemptible Trickery— The sullen Agha Faree— Delightful Eide — Unappreciated Attentions — Eoyal Missive — Confiscation of Valuables — Uncomfortable Position — Conflicting Rumours — Comfortless Lodging — Voyage across the Tzana — The Eoyal Eobber — The Mission Arrested — Diplomacy Foiled — Grand Court — Meekness and Eage — Diplomatic Manœuvre — The Christian Diplomatist — Gymnastic Performances — Sworn Friendship ..... . . CONTENTS. XI PAGE 297 345

CHAPTER XIV.

Sensation Scenes — Brag and Bluster — Zeghee Pillaged— Cholera in the Camp — Abrupt Departure — The Penitent Tyrant- Death in Pursuit — Raw Recruits — Vice Dangerous — Prelude of Ruin — New Homes — Transient Honours — Royal Craft — Grateful Counsellors — Murder of a Beggar — Doubtful Parentage — Undisputed Claims — Dismal Dungeon — Royal Visit 284

CHAPTER XV.

Revolt of the Provinces — Sham Campaign — Churches Pillaged — Retributive Vengeance — Wanton Atrocities— New Prison — Foot Chains — Domiciliary Arrangements — Despatch of Letters — Abyssinian Honesty — Our Prison Library — Instruction of Inquirers — Prayerless Amar — Sundays in Prison — Stirring Incident — Diplomatic Correspondence — Butchery in the Camp — Desertions — Reign of Terror — A Midnight Massacre — -A Wise Messenger — The Tyrant Defeated — Cannon Foundry — Unfortunate Fugitives .

CHAPTER XVI.

Hostile Movements — Sham Exploits — Valour at Zero — Plans of Escape — The lucky and unlucky Fugitives — Amba Desertions — Galla Hospitality — Midnight Assassins — Merited Penalty — Death of Aboona Salama — The Apostles of Abyssinia — Spread of Christianity — Truth and Error Blended — Abstruse Dogmas — Theological Squabbles — Indifference of the Laity — -Advent of the Jesuits — Laxity of Morals — Protestant Missions — Unsatisfactory Converts — Enlightened Metropolitan — The successful Eebel — Artful Intimidation — Bishop Gobat's Efforts— Falasha Converts — Paradoxes Solved — Incipient Eeforms 319

CHAPTER XVII.

Royal Messengers — Samuel's Terrors — Antidote to Fear — Letter from Menilek — His Approach — Sham Bravery — Jealousy among our Guards — Hostile Demonstrations — Perplexing Conjectures — Cowardice of Menilek — Schemes for Escape — Good News — Painful Suspense — Theodore's Mad Rage — Men Hunters — Royal Duplicity — Reward of Fidelity — Christmas Day — The King and the Peasant — Submission to the Tyrant — Flattery and Treachery — European Artisans in Disgrace CONTENTS. PAGE 368

CHAPTER XVIII.

Theodore reaches Magdala — Change of Guards — Release of Dr. Blanc and Lieut. Prideaux — Royal Promises to the Envoy .and his Companions — Change of Sentiment — Bardel's Warning— Mr. Rassam and Theodore — Prisoners Released — Faith and Trust — Summons to the Royal Camp — Gracious Reception — Harmless Brag — The Despised Letter — Seven Executions — Revolting Massacre — Providential Escape — Return to Prison — Battle of Arogie — Diplomacy in Requisition — Lord Napier's Firmness and Courtesy — Theodore's Confession — Suicide Prevented — Suspected Treachery— Sympathy of Natives — Audience Refused — Contradictory Commands — Royal Designs — Divine Interposition — Arrival in the British Camp — Delicious Sensation — Easter Sermons — Theodore's Despair —Visit to Magdala — The Dead King — Success of the Expedition — Thanksgiving Service ... . .

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Tbe Captives Frontispiece Abyssinian Horseman To face Pag,- -■■ A Pkifst and a Monk .... ,, King Theodore's House at Magdala .... Tee Queen of the Galla Country, with her Youngest Son and a Mahometan Phiest .... Interior op Magdala, with Salasie in the Distance. „ Church at Magdala, showing Theodore's Grave . „ S.!57 Magdala im Flames n