Upon near approach he immediately dismounted and advanced toward us, bowing in a most foppish manner, while his attendant followed him on foot with an enormous violin, which he immediately handed to him.

This fiddle was very peculiar in shape, being a square, with an exceedingly long neck extending from one corner.

Upon this was stretched a solitary string, and the bow was very short and much bent.

This was an Abyssinian Paganini.

He was a professional minstrel of the highest grade, who had been sent by Mek Nimmur to welcome us on our arrival.
These musicians are very similar to the minstrels of ancient times.