a crooked
sword and spear, as well as a club. Such were the weapons used for ages
by their ancestors; but many had matchlocks, and others even
double-barrelled guns. The discipline of the army was strict, so that
no plundering took place; and the inhabitants were everywhere treated
with kindness. Negotiations were now opened with the Prince of Tigre,
who professed a friendship for the British. Nothing created so much
astonishment as the appearance of the elephants, which were followed by
crowds of wondering natives, who had been under the impression that no
elephant could be tamed. The arrival of a battery of Armstrong guns
created equal surprise.

Notwithstanding the difficulties of the road, the gunners succeeded in
carrying their guns to Adigerat. Step by step the army advanced, until
Anotolo was reached, on the 2nd of March. Anotolo may be said to be
half-way between Zulla and Magdala. Letters were received from the
prisoners, stating that Theodore was still engaged in efforts to get up
his ordnance and heavy baggage to Magdala; but, impeded by his mortar,
it was not likely that he could reach that stronghold until the first
week in March.

News was now brought that Kassai, Prince of Tigre, was advancing, to
seek an interview with the British general, and Sir Robert accordingly
marched forward, taking advantage of the cool hours of the morning to
meet him on the banks of the Diab.

The force, which was accompanied by several guns, pitched their camp
about half a mile from the eastern bank of the river, which it was
arranged should divide the two armies.

The scenery around was magnificent, the ground sloping up gradually from
the western bank of the Diab, where the Tigrean army was to be posted.
The sun shone out brilliantly. The heat was excessive. About eleven
o'clock the vanguard of Kassai's army was seen approaching, and a body
of men hurriedly coming forward, pitched a red tent on the slope
opposite to that of the strangers' camp. Just before midday the whole
of the Tigrean army, with drums beating and standards flying, consisting
of about 4000 men, advanced down the slope towards the river, two yellow
and red flags fluttering high above their heads showing the position of
the chief and his principal officers. Sir Robert had directed a tent to
be raised close to the bank of the river, where the meeting was to take
place.

As soon as the Abyssinians were seen advancing, the English forces got