Dissensions
between the Ad-Shebot and the Mänsas.
The Ad-Zamat, while wandering, came tnrl
seated themselves under the olive tree (at Gäläb). And later on came
also the Ad-Shebot during their wandering, and seated tliemselves
(there also). Chief Tedros, son of Edris, let porridge be cooked and
sent (a servant) with orders to give it to the Ad-Zamat. The bearer,
however, by mistake, gave it to the Ad-Shebot. And when Tedros bad
come (out) and they were eating, he said to the servant: »Thou,
unclean -
Footnote
(1) Habab rug.
Page 99
- one, did I not say to thee: Give the food to
the Ad-Zamat: it was they who had come first.» The Ad-Shebot
meditated vengeance for this, and went from thence, and when they
came back, they plundered the Mänsas.
The Ad-Shebot one time broke up and plundered
the Mänsas, while they were encamped at Marat, and captured their
cattle and cut it down. They killed Asgadom, son of Tedros, and
Gäbres, son of Masmar. Afterwards the Mänsas buried these their men.
After that the Ad-Shebot flocked together and pitclied camp at Kora.
Chief Tedros then sent a spy down to them. The spy returned and said
to him: »All the Ad-Shebot, tlieir cattle and people are issmbled at
Kora». Tedros said to the Mänsas: »Up with me, I shall wreak
vengence on the Ad-Shebot for my son!» And all assembled: Kamel
Wad-Gabaj(1) and Täsfamkel, son of Aftaj, then a young man, were
there. Because they said to him (Tedros): »lt is tlie man from the
Ad-Shebot, Tedros, son of Mahamud», he answered: »I do not flee
before Tedros Gerub», and let his people encamp. At about the fifth
hour (2) the troop made the first attack, and of the Mänsas there
fell Hazot, as he was called.
Then the evening was closing in on the earth,
and the troop pitched camp opposite the village, and spent the night
there. And the plunderers and the villagers incensed ene another
with words and called out to one another. Tedros, son of Edris, said
to Tedros, son of Mahamud: »0h, Tedros, son of Mahamud! It were a
dishonour, really, if thou shouldst take thyself off to night». He
replied: »I, Tedros, -,on of Mahmud! (So it would), if I should not
be in the fold to-morroow morning, with my cattle and my people, but
have fled.» In the dawning the plunderers and the villagers rushed
at one another. When they had engaged, Tedros, son of Mahamud,
deserted his fold and fled. Among those mentioned by name one, who
was called Hamed-ker,-son of Masmar, fell: Däsellase, son of
Harshoj, killed him. And the son of Hedur, as be was killed, also
fell; the son of Hedur had in the night boastingly cried out,
saying: »My fine cows, my fine cows! I shall not share them with
Samara Hankish.» -
Footnotes
(1)Being born on the road he was called »Son
of the road».
(2) Five o' clock in tbe evening.
Page 100
- Besides these a large number of the
Ad-Shebot's men fell. And cows and goats were all
collected and taken; and they came up over
Hyjotat and were divided at Gänänaref. And every one, as well
dependant as master, marched, with his share, into the village.
Afterwards the Mänsas watched for the
Ad-Shebot, to avenge Asgadom. And the Ad-Shebot, again, watched for
the Mänsas. And these two hordes found one another at Ajbaba. And
while they were attacking one another-, Täkles, son of Edris, killed
Albakit, son of Masmar. And the Mänsas were beaten and turned back.
The Mänsas once more arose to attack the
Ad-Shebot. And the Ad-Shebot had come with its cattle to Tanfik, in
front of the village Ona. Kamel Wad-Gabaj said to his followers:
»Shall ye hold back the village(rs), or shall ye rob cows?» They
answered: »We (shall) rob cows». And he himself sat for the village
(keeping watch on it). And by massacring the cattle they put an end
to them, but did not return home with any of them. When the
plunderers had ascended Agaro, the relief forces from the Ad-Shebot
followed in their tracks. (One of -) the Ad-Shebot called out to
Kamel Wad-Gabaj (saying:) »0h, Kamel, as we are coming to thee,
whither shall we send thee?
The blood shed by thee can not be counted as
notliing.» He said again to them: »I await you, struggle ye up here
unto me.» A man, who was called Heja-Bazaj, from Base, armed with a
musket, had together with the
Ad-Sliebot, come to the reseue. And when the
Mänsas recognized him, Kamel said to him in Arabic: »Thou,
Heja-Bazaj, why hast thou pursued us with the Ad-Shebot? We are the
gate of Base: without passing over us thou canst neither go down to
Base nor up to them (Ad-Shebot). » Heja-Bazaj answered, also in
Arabic: »lt is nothing. It is only powder (1). I have come to
reseue, in order that they shoud not have to say about me: He did
not come to help» - Afterwards the Ad- Shebot fled and returned (to
their own land). (Kamel hed learned arabic once standing security at
Base)
(1) e. a blank cartridge.
Page 101
Then they made (the following agreement): the
Ad-Shebot (1) was betrothed to Rajat, a
daughter of chief Tedros. And the Mänsas
intended to refuse them, but afterwards said: "lt is not the custom;
a betrothed (girl) is not withheld" and they held the wedding. They
were afterwards reconciled, and girls were given for the debt of
blood.
