'We will fly over the enemy positions,' said the Count, at a
respectable height.' By which he meant out of rifle shot.
'Later,' said the political agent, with such an air of authority that
the Count drew himself up in a dignified manner, and gave the man a
haughty stare before which he should have quailed.
'I carry personal and urgent orders from General Badogho's own lips,'
said the agent, completely unaffected by the stare.
The Count's stiffly dignified when altered immediately.
'A glass of wine, then,' he said affably, and took the ' man's arm
leading him to the waiting Rolls.
The General stands now before Ambo Aradam. He has the main
concentration of the enemy at bay upon the mountain, and under heavy
artillery and aerial bombardment. At the right moment he will fall
upon them and the outcome cannot be in doubt.'
'Quite right,' nodded the Count sagely; the prospect of fighting a
hundred miles away to the north filled him with the reflected warmth of
the glory of Italian arms.
'Within the next ten days, the broken armies of the Ethiopians will be
attempting to withdraw along the road to Dessie and to link up with
Baile Selassie at Lake Tona but the Sardi Gorge is like a dagger in
their ribs. You know your duty.' The Count nodded again, but warily.
This was much closer to home.
'I have come now to make the final contact with the Ethiopian Ras who
will declare for us, the Emperor-designate of Ethiopia our secret ally.
It is necessary to coordinate our final plans, so that his defection
will cause the greatest possible confusion amongst the ranks of the
enemy, and his forces can be best deployed to support your assault up
the gorge to Sardi and the Dessie road.'
'Ah!' the Count made a sound which signified neither agreement nor
dissent.
'My men, working in the mountains, have arranged a meeting with the
Emperor-designate. At this meeting we will make the promised payment
that secures the Ras's loyalty.' The agent made a moue of distaste.
'These people!' and he sighed at the thought of a man who would sell
his country for gold. Then he dismissed the thought with a
J wave of his hand. 'The meeting is fixed for tonight. I have brought
one of my men with me who will act as a guide.
The place arranged is approximately eighty kilometres from here and we
will move out at sundown which will give us ample time to reach the
rendezvous before the appointed hour of midnight.'
'Very well, the Count agreed. 'I will place transport at your
disposal.' The agent held up a hand. 'My dear Colonel, you will be
the leader of the delegation to meet the Ras.'
'Impossible.' The Count would not so swiftly abandon his new
philosophy. 'I have my duties here to prepare for the offensive.' Who
knew what new horrors might lurk out in the midnight wastes of the
Danakil?
'Your presence is essential to the success of the negotiations your
uniform will impress the-' My shoulder, I am suffering from an injury
