The Life and Adventures of Nathaniel Pearce (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1831 Excerpt: ... JOUR NAL, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER XI. Military Character of the Abyssinians--Cowardly manner of acquiring reputation--Horse-Equipage--Dress--Female Camp-Followers--Washing, Sewing, and Milking, not performed by women--Slaves--Complaisance of Galla Husbands--Barbarous Custom of the Galla in regard to Small-pox--People of Coffa--Duties and mode of collecting them in the principal Towns of Abyssinia--The Gold-weigher--Cloths used as Specie--Markets--Prices of various Commodities--Measures, --Public Bathing on Baptism Day--Christmas Games--Marver, or Clubs of both Sexes--Solicitude for extending Relationship--Proclamation preparatory to War--Laws--Amusements--Hunting--Wild Beasts--Snakes--Amphibious Animals--Birds--Fishing--Customs observed in Eating and Drinking. The warriors of Abyssinia are in general brave, and might be made good soldiers if they were taught discipline. They are very proud of their deeds, but not before they have killed either a Galla, a Taltal, a Shangalla, or one of their own profession, in war. Those who have killed a lion, or an elephant, distinguish themselves by wearing ear-rings, or a small stud in the right ear, like VOL II. B 2 COWARDLY EXPLOIT. those worn by the women. For the rhinoceros, the leopard, and the wild buffalo, no mark of distinction is allowed, although the two latter are the most formidable beasts to encounter. The young Abyssinians of the highest and of the middling class are never satisfied till they have killed either a Galla, a Taltal, or a Shangalla, which, however, they in general accomplish in an insidious and cowardly manner, and it is often revenged in a similar way. A young soldier will go naked for a year or two, purposely to save up a few cloths; with these he flies to the frontier of one of the above-mentioned..