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The day after we arrived, the town was gaily decorated with flags, streamers,

gorgeous rugs, and banners, for the rumor had proved true--the emperor was

coming.

Colonel Belik had accorded me the greatest liberty, permitting me to go where I

pleased, after my few duties had been performed. As a result of his kindness, I

spent much time wandering about New Gondar, talking with the inhabitants, and

exploring the city of black men.

As I had been given a semi-military uniform which bore insignia indicating that I

was an officer's body servant, even the blacks treated me with a species of

respect, though I could see by their manner that I was really as the dirt beneath

their feet. They answered my questions civilly enough, but they would not enter

into conversation with me. It was from other slaves that I learned the gossip of

the city.

Troops were pouring in from the west and south, and pouring out toward the

east. I asked an old slave who was sweeping the dirt into little piles in the gutters

of the street where the soldiers were going. He looked at me in surprise.

"Why, to fight the yellow men, of course," he said. "They have crossed the border,

and are marching toward New Gondar."

Who will win?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows?" he said. "I hope it will be the yellow

men, but Menelek is powerful--it will take many yellow men to defeat him."

Crowds were gathering along the sidewalks to view the emperor's entry into the

city. I took my place among them, although I hate crowds, and I am glad that I

did, for I witnessed such a spectacle of barbaric splendor as no other Pan-

American has ever looked upon.

Down the broad main thoroughfare, which may once have been the historic Unter

den Linden, came a brilliant cortege. At the head rode a regiment of red-coated

hussars--enormous men, black as night. There were troops of riflemen mounted

on camels. The emperor rode in a golden howdah upon the back of a huge

elephant so covered with rich hangings and embellished with scintillating gems

that scarce more than the beast's eyes and feet were visible.

Menelek was a rather gross-looking man, well past middle age, but he carried

himself with an air of dignity befitting one descended in unbroken line from the

Prophet--as was his claim.

The Lost Continent