Modaina

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 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(2) 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 (3) 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.» -
- 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 (4). 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)
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.



Footnote

(1) Habab rug.
(2)Being born on the road he was called »Son of the road».
(3) Five o' clock in tbe evening.
(4) e. a blank cartridge.