3-021-492 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Expedition to Abyssinia: meeting of the Prince of Tigré with Sir Robert Napier, near Ad-Abaga, 1868. 'the army of Tigre...numbered about 4000 men, who moved in a long, deep line to the music of rude kettle-drums. Two yellow and red pennants, borne aloft in the centre, marked the position of the chief [Kassa]...the British troops got under arms, and...halted about a hundred yards from the [River Diab], where a large tent had been erected for the meeting. The commander-in-chief, mounted on an elephant, and followed by his staff, rode down to the banks of the rivulet. The appearance of the British General on the elephant was to impress Kassa with the power and scientific skill of our nation; for the Abyssinians fear the elephant much, and have never ventured to tame him...Kassa, surrounded by his immediate counsellors and guard, rode forward on a white mule with a crimson umbrella borne above his head. He forded the stream, and was received by Sir Robert Napier. Mutual salutations were exchanged, which no doubt were quite as sincere as those in daily vogue in the civilised world'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.