“Ah, Yagoube, says the king, take care what you say. That is indeed more than Guebra Mascal will do at that distance; but take great care; you don’t know these people; they will lie themselves all day; nay, their whole life is one lie; but of you they expect better, or would be glad to find worse; take care.” Ayto Engedan, who was then present, said, “I am sure if Yagoube says he can do it, he will do it; but how, I don’t know. Can you shoot through my shield with a tallow candle?”--“To you, Ayto Engedan, said I, I can speak freely; I could shoot thro’ your shield if it was the strongest in the army, and kill the strongest man in the army that held it before him. When will you see this tried?”--“Why now, says the king; there is _nobody here_.”--“The sooner the better, said I; I would not wish to remain for a moment longer under so disagreeable an imputation as that of lying, an infamous one in my country, whatever it may be in this. Let me send for _my_ gun; the king will look out at the window.”--“_Nobody_, says he, knows any thing of it; _nobody will come_.” The king appeared to be very anxious, and, I saw plainly, incredulous. The gun was brought; Engedan’s shield was produced, which was of strong buffalo’s hide. I said to him, “This is a weak one, give me one stronger.” He shook his head, and said, “Ah, Yagoube, you’ll find it strong enough; Engedan’s shield is known to be no toy.” Tecla Mariam brought such a shield, and the Billetana Gueta Tecla another, both of which were most excellent in their kind. I loaded the gun before them, first with powder, then upon it slid down one half of what we call a farthing candle; and, having beat off the handles of three shields, I put them close in contact with each other, and set them all three against a post. “Now, Engedan, said I, when you please say--Fire! but mind you have taken leave of your good shield for ever.” The word was given, and the gun fired. It struck the three shields, neither in the most difficult nor the easiest place for perforation, something less than half way between the rim and the boss. The candle went through the three shields with such violence that it dashed itself to a thousand pieces against a stone-wall behind it. I turned to Engedan, saying very lowly, gravely, and without exultation or triumph, on the contrary with absolute indifference, “Did not I tell you your shield was naught?” A great shout of applause followed from about a thousand people that were gathered together. The three shields were carried to the king, who exclaimed in great transport, I did not believe it before I saw it, and I can scarce believe it now I have seen it. Where is Guebra Mascal’s confidence now? But what do either he or we know? “We know nothing.” I thought he looked abashed.