muscular limbs, his complexion
being dark even for an Abyssinian, though with a finely cut aquiline
nose, with a low bridge, his thin lips telling of his cruel disposition.
He was in his 50th year and the 15th of his reign. The level area of
the now well-known fortress was almost entirely covered with well-built
circular thatched huts, most of them surrounded by a hedge or wall. The
king's own house, in which the Queen Terunish and her little boy
resided, was an oblong building of two storeys. Other buildings were
attached to it, with a sort of summer-house commanding a magnificent
view of the country. Amidst the houses was a church in miserable
condition; indeed, Magdala was not considered Christian ground, being in
the territory of the heathen Gallas. The whole town contained about
3000 persons. The body of the king, having been embalmed, was buried by
the Abyssinian priests, within the precincts of this wretched church, a
small guard of the 33rd attending to keep order. The grave was shallow,
and soon covered in with stones, and the surface strewn with straw. The
queen came for protection to the British camp, and expressed her wish
that the English would take charge of her son. She, however, died on
the march, and her young son remained under charge of the English, by
whom he has been brought up and educated. The huts in Magdala were
burned, the gates of the fortress were blown up, and all the guns, to
the number of 37, collected by Theodore, were burst.

The return march was performed as successfully as the advance, and
before the end of the month of June the last man of the expedition had
departed from Annesley Bay. The larger body returned to India, while
the Commander-in-chief sailed in the _Feroze_ for England. A peerage, a
Grand Cross of the Bath, and a pension were conferred upon Sir Robert
Napier; and two Knight Commanderships and 27 Companionships of the same
order were bestowed on other officers; while 15 colonelcies, 18
Lieutenant-Colonelcies, and 13 majorities were distributed among the
other officers of the expedition. The Abyssinian Expedition will ever
be remembered for the judgment and forethought exercised in its
preparation, the perseverance and energy of the officers employed, and
the admirable conduct of the men.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE ASHANTEE WAR--1873-1874.

On that part of the West coast of Africa which runs east and west,
extending from the Bight of Benin to Cape Palmas,