id so, attacked the garrison, who, seeing that
their fortress was entered, took to flight towards the second defence.
The whole regiment was quickly in, and, pressing after the fugitives,
rushed through the second gateway, when, the summit of the fortress
being gained, the British flag was quickly flying above it. On this the
Abyssinians, throwing down their arms, asked for quarter, which was at
once granted.

But what had become of the unhappy king, who had been the chief cause of
the misery and suffering endured by his unhappy subjects for so many
years? Stretched on the ground leading to the second gateway to the
palace his body was found, with a pistol-bullet through his head, the
weapon with which he had shot himself still by his side. Near the
outward gateway lay several of his devoted chiefs, while the rest of his
officers, throwing down their arms, endeavoured to escape. They all,
however, before long, having been driven back by the Gallas, who were
watching for them on the other side, were compelled to return to the
fortress, where they delivered themselves up.

Taking possession of Magdala, Sir Robert, having made a hasty survey of
it, collected all the Abyssinians in the centre space, and placed a
strong guard over them. An anxious night now commenced, as at any
moment the numberless thatched buildings which covered the heights might
have been set on fire and a heavy loss of life have ensued. The two
gates were carefully watched, and, owing to the admirable arrangements,
no disturbance occurred. The inhabitants were desired to take their
departure, while the body of Theodore was delivered up to his unhappy
queen, and was interred two days afterwards in the church of Magdala.
The queen and her son then came into the British camp, where they
received honourable treatment, while the inhabitants were escorted as
far as was necessary towards the district where they had friends.

The fortress was afterwards destroyed, the buildings within set on fire,
and the guns which had been captured were also burst into fragments. As
the British army retired they could see for many a league the dense
clouds of smoke which rose to the sky and hung like a funeral pall over
the stronghold of the tyrant king.

"I'm thankful that we've done it, and done it well," exclaimed Tom, as
he, with his blue jackets, commenced their march towards Annesley Bay.

"So am I," answered Billy Blueblazes. "For my part, I don't like thi