I begged the merchant to hire me a horse and a guide, and made up my mind at least to go as far as Oromia, fifty miles, in spite of all dangers or other circumstances.

The bargain was made, and the guide pledged himself to start the next morning, and to bring me to Oromia in three days.

Unfortunately I could not scold him in words, but I picked up the mantle and threw it at his feet, and explained to him that I would keep the remainder of the fare if he did not bring me to Oromia to- morrow on the third day.

After some hours we came to the Lake Oromia, which henceforth continued on our right side; on the left lay barren hills, ravines and mountains, extending for some miles, forming a most dreaded place.

The Lake Oromia, from which the town takes its name, is more than sixty miles long, and in many places more than thirty wide.

Late in the evening, we reached Oromia safely, after a hard ride of more than sixteen hours.

I made as good use as possible of the day which I passed at Oromia.

Before concluding my description of Oromia, I must remark that this neighbourhood is considered to be the birth-place of Zoroaster, who is said to have lived 5,500 years before the birth of Christ, and was the founder of the sect of Magi, or fire-worshippers.

On the 1st of August, I rode ten hours to the village of Kutschie, which lies near the Lake Oromia; we seldom caught sight of the lake, although we were always very near to it all day.

We met several large caravans, but all going towards Oromia.