THEODORE'S LAST MOMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 1007, 21 August 1868, Page 3

THEODORE'S LAST MOMENTS.

The 'Patrie,' of May 29 prints what purports to be an Abyssinian version of the last -moments of Theodore. The report commences by praising the loyal and generous conduct of England; 'for, whilst regretting the monarch who was our friend and uho now reposes in immortality* we must render homage to the co&rage and skill of the conquerors." Onlesuftung that the English had disembarked, 7 Theodore thought that they would .march on his capital by way of the fertile 'plains of Dembea, the entrance to which he was prepared to defend. He regarded the occupation of Senafe as a ruse de guerre to make him abandon the formidable positions he held, and did not move. 'This is why the English accused Theodore, of indecisionl He refused to listen "to his spies, and when doubt was jno longer possible, it was too late.- Hiscayalryremainedat Amarrha, and with 1 22,000 musketeers he marched on Magdalai He tried to defend the defiles but there was no longer time; the advanced guard appeared. His generals, too,' were A- discouraged, and, gorged with gold/ abandoned their chief in his extre mity. The number of Abyssinians buried amounted to 757, whilst 2139 were wounded. 'To the rifle and the steel gun the victory must be in a great measure attributed ; but — -why should we not say so ? — the English soldiers (English is underlined) displayed great bravery andrinterpidity during the assault, and were humane towards the prisoners and wounded. Accustomed to bloody reprisals, the Abyssinians expected to be massacred. The severe discipline of the English army in "preventing excesses and useless cruelty has won for itself the admiration of the conquered. Amongsc the dead were. seven balantcheras, or men who resemble Theodore, and were purposely dressed like him, and one generalinr'chie£ The Abyssinians thought on the 15th that the English would remain in the country, and they desired this. The 'generosity of the conquerors, their brilliant triumph, and their respect for property, caused it to be foreseen that under their administration there would be^liberty, fortune, and protection for commerce, industry, and agriculture. They* feared anarchy if the country were evacuated. Theodore did not commit suicide. Having witnessed the destruction of his army, and having searched death in vain amid ball and shell, when he saw the head of the enemy's columns crown the breach he understood that his last' hour was come; he was that resistance was impossible, and that he was atfputto be mdde prisoner. This reflectionA made _, him roar (rugir). If the English, captives had been still in his power, their death would have been certain. In a fit of fury, or rather madness, hfe ordered their extermination, forgetting tKatthey werefree inthe English camp. On seeing. his power fleeing from him with the blood of his soldiers, contemplating his empire destroyed, his dynasty overturned, his reign finished, two streams of tears coursed down his cheeks; the muscles of his face and chest were contracted with pain, and his limbs writhed in mute dispair. His bitter sufferings should atone for many of his crimes. Two balantcheras, pistol in hand, stood silently waiting his order. He gave his will to Emgheddo. Crossing his arms over his breast he prayed ; then with a hollow voice' he repeated several times, ' Ethiopia ! Ethiopia ! my wife ! my children ! ' The gate, trembling under the blows of the assailants, was giving way. Proudly raising his head, Theodore drew his sword to perish like a European. 'In the bosom of the Trinity,' said he to the balantcheras, 'fire.' They both aimed' at his head, but Emgneddo's courage failed, and his arm fell hxert. Area alone obeyed, and his bullet broke the skull of Africa's bravest warrior. The balantcheras remained by the body of ther master expecting death. At this moment the gate was broken in, aad the English soldiers, drunk with blood and carnage, rushed forward. Emgheddo showed them the lifeless body of Theodore. At this sight the soldiers, stupefied, let fall their arms, and the two guards were saved." The will was copied arid distributed to such officers as had remained faithfiil. Theodobe's Will.— ln the name of the K Trinity, Theodore, last King of Ethiopia.— To conquer Theodore God said to the nation which holds under its sceptre more than half the universe, Go and unite your armies and fleets, I shall be with you; we will fight together and will crush him. It has been so. Should England keep the empire of my Abyssinian warriors, war to the oppressors. If they retire, I desire that my son Mecheca may succeed me; and I, emperor, say to him— Be the friend of those to whom '' God hath given the victory, for they know how to protect their friends ; 'be the friend of those warriors, for they are invincible. The other . . . jackals are afraid of the English lion. Mechecha, ; be great as thy father, and fear the Trinity. This narrative is signed by Count B. dv Bisson, a traveller in Abyssinia, and who was always on friendly terms with its late ruler, and not in favor of the English expedition.