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was filled with wounded. Just outside, soldiers were engaged in throwing up

earthworks. It was evident to the least enlightened that Menelek expected further

reverses.

And then the imperial troops fell back upon these new defenses, or, rather, they

were forced back by the enemy. Shells commenced to fall within the city.

Menelek returned and took up his headquarters in the stone building that was

called the palace. That night came a lull in the hostilities--a truce had been

arranged.

Colonel Belik summoned me about seven o'clock to dress him for a function at

the palace. In the midst of death and defeat the emperor was about to give a

great banquet to his officers. I was to accompany my master and wait upon him-

-I, Jefferson Turck, lieutenant in the Pan-American navy!

In the privacy of the colonel's quarters I had become accustomed to my menial

duties, lightened as they were by the natural kindliness of my master, but the

thought of appearing in public as a common slave revolted every fine instinct

within me. Yet there was nothing for it but to obey.

I cannot, even now, bring myself to a narration of the humiliation which I

experienced that night as I stood behind my black master in silent servility, now

pouring his wine, now cutting up his meats for him, now fanning him with a

large, plumed fan of feathers.

As fond as I had grown of him, I could have thrust a knife into him, so keenly did

I feel the affront that had been put upon me. But at last the long banquet was

concluded. The tables were removed. The emperor ascended a dais at one end of

the room and seated himself upon a throne, and the entertainment commenced.

It was only what ancient history might have led me to expect--musicians, dancing

girls, jugglers, and the like.

Near midnight, the master of ceremonies announced that the slave women who

had been presented to the emperor since his arrival in New Gondar would be

exhibited, that the royal host would select such as he wished, after which he

would present the balance of them to his guests. Ah, what royal generosity!

A small door at one side of the room opened, and the poor creatures filed in and

were ranged in a long line before the throne. Their backs were toward me. I saw

only an occasional profile as now and then a bolder spirit among them turned to

survey the apartment and the gorgeous assemblage of officers in their brilliant

dress uniforms. They were profiles of young girls, and pretty, but horror was

indelibly stamped upon them all. I shuddered as I contemplated their sad fate,

and turned my eyes away.

The Lost Continent