that their gunners could not take aim in consequence
of the clouds of dust which this feat would occasion.
In addition to this, they thought the English only
efficacious behind walls; else, why did they not take
revenge upon the Arabs at Lahej, two years ago, for
the murder of an officer ? They had often heard of
the English threatening and preparing to do it, but
somehow they never carried their intention into execution.
I treated these vain bombastic words with the
contempt which they deserved,—but said, I only
wanted Sumunter to take me on, or otherwise to leave
me to my fate. They then tried weakening my party
by bribing Farhan to side with them and leave j but
the noble-hearted Seedi disclosed their treachery, and
gallantly said he would share misfortunes with me,
and fight, if necessary, to the last extremity.
Imam, tame-hearted Indian, got in a dreadful
fright, and implored I would compromise the matter;
for by this time all the camels had been driven away;
and the Warsingali moved off with Sumunter, saying
I brought the rupture by my obstinacy on my own
head, and that as soon as they were out of sight, the
Dulbahantas would walk in and kill us all in a heap.
I then loaded all the guns, and, giving one to each of
the servants, sat on the boxes waiting to see the upshot.
I was clearly outmanoeuvred—unable to move
or get anything—but still was, to use their own expression,
“ obstinate.” After proceeding a certain distance,
the retiring band, with Sumunter at their head,
sitting fully equipped with spear and shield on his
war-steed, came to a halt, and invited the interpreter
to meet them, presuming, they said, there might be
some mistake, and therefore they wished to open negotiations
afresh. Sumunter then gave me back my own
words, saying, “If the Sahib would only say he wished
me to take him to Berbera, I will give some small presents
to the Akils of the Dulbahantas as a passport for
him, and proceed at o n c e f o r they, were only endeavouring
to feel my disposition towards them, and did
not intend desertion, if I was not irredeemably incensed
against them. They then came back, and
work began afresh, by the distribution of presents,
which, as is usual when no man can bear to see the
smallest trifle slip from his grasp to be given to another,
was a matter of no small difficulty in adjusting.
If the Dulbahantas did not succeed in skinning me of
all my effects, they naturally thought the next tribe
would; and a whole day was consumed in wrangling
and disputing how much they should get. This
ended by my giving one musket, thirteen tobes, and
my reserve silk turban ; and now I was at liberty to
quit Jid Ali.
11th.—At 10 a.m. we were loaded, and commenced
the journey westward; whilst the Abban said he
would bid his friends adieu at home, and bring five
horses with him to Biyn Hablé, where he would meet
us on the following day. The track led us across a
flat alluvial plain, still in the valley, which was well
covered with a thick growth of acacias, and dry short
grass, nipped short by cattle. After walking five