e few chiefs who had remained faithful. Part of
the British army now took possession of the heights of Islamgye, while a
party of the 33rd Regiment, the 10th company of Royal Engineers, and a
company of Madras sappers were ordered to assault the Koket-bir gate of
the fortress. The guns from Islamgye and the Fala saddle opened fire,
and continued it during the afternoon. The ascent to the fortress, or
amba, as it is called, was by an excessively steep and narrow path,
amidst large boulders, with perpendicular black cliffs on the right.
The Koket-bir gate consisted of a rough stone gateway 15 feet deep, with
folding wooden doors. On either side the approach was defended by a
thick hedge with stakes. Seventy feet higher up there was a second
hedge, and another gate opening on the flat summit of the amba. As the
British soldiers climbed up the rocky path, firing rapidly with their
Sniders, they received a dropping fire in return, by which seven men
were wounded and a few others slightly injured. The 33rd then made a
dash at the hedge, climbed over it, and opened the door from the inside,
when the rest of the storming party rushed in. The dead bodies of a few
chiefs, richly dressed, were found lying in a heap inside the gate, but
no enemy appeared. Deserted by most of his followers, the king, after
attempting to pile up large stones against the inside of the gate, took
his seat on the rocks between the two gates, surrounded by his friends,
watching the English guns with his glass. When the assault commenced,
he and nine who had remained with him commenced firing at the English.
By a volley fired into the little band, most of those who had hitherto
survived were wounded. Theodore on this retired to some huts on the
amba, about 50 yards from the second gate. Here, dismissing his
remaining followers, he turned to his body-servant, Walda Gabir, saying
that, sooner than fall into the hands of his enemies, he would kill
himself. Then, putting a pistol to his mouth, he fired it, and fell
dead. The bullet had passed through the roof of his mouth and through
the back of his head. This was at about 4:10 p.m.

Some prisoners who had escaped pointed out the body of the king to the
English. It was now put into a litter, and brought to Sir Charles
Staveley. It appears that Theodore had eaten nothing for four days,
supported only by tej and drams of araki. He was of medium stature,
well-built, broad chest, small waist, and