er to the noise they
made, they speedily recovered themselves, and advanced bravely to the
attack.

The delay, short as it was, had, however, enabled the 4th to come into
line, and as the Abyssinians advanced they opened a heavy fire of
musketry upon them with their breechloaders, which were here for the
first time used by British soldiers in actual warfare. For a few
minutes the Abyssinians stood bravely against the storm of shot; then,
leaving the ground scattered with dead and wounded, they turned and made
towards the fortress.

In the ravine itself the combat had been more serious. There a large
number of Abyssinians, coming straight down from Magdala, fell upon the
baggage train. The company of the 4th under Captain Roberts, forming
the baggage guard, defended themselves and their charge gallantly.
Fortunately many of the mules were loaded with ammunition. These were
broken open, and the contents served out; and the men were consequently
enabled to keep up a steady stream of fire upon their opponents. These,
however, pressed gallantly forward, and did not give way until the
Punjaubees, advancing to the edge of the plateau, took them in flank,
and, pouring volley after volley among them, drove them up the hillside
with a loss of more than 500 killed. This body was estimated at 2000
strong, and it is questionable whether any of them returned to Magdala.

As the enemy upon the plateau retreated, the Naval Brigade moved forward
and took up a fresh position, and sent their rockets into the crowd as
they ascended the path to their fortress, and then, turning their aim at
the guns upon its edge, near which Theodore was himself standing, sent
their rockets up with so accurate an aim that the guns were speedily
deserted. King Theodore himself was greatly moved by these strange
implements, and asked Mr Rassam, whom he had placed near him, if they
were allowed in civilised warfare. In all, the fight cost the
Abyssinians 800 killed and 1500 wounded, besides the 1500 whose retreat
to the fortress was cut off.

The effect of this encounter upon Theodore was immense. Hitherto he had
looked upon himself as invincible, and believed that he should defeat
the English without the least difficulty. This view was also held by
all the people through whom we had marched upon our way. In Abyssinia
it is the priests only who wear head-gear, and the people viewed the
helmets of our soldiers as signs that, if not absolutely cle