Chapter IV: Government Explorations

Early trips to the coast—Disturbed state of Bulhár—Stopping a
fight—Two skirmishes—First exploring trips—Hostility of the
natives—An unlucky trip—Start with my brother to explore the
Habr Toljaala and Dolbahanta countries on duty—Camp on Gólis
Range—Theodolite station at 6800 feet—Enter the waterless
plains—Advance to the Tug Dér—News of raiders ahead, and of
Col. A. Paget’s party—Dolbahanta horsemen—Advance to the
Nogal Valley—Constantly annoyed by the Dolbahanta—Prehistoric
tank and buildings at Badwein—Advance to Gosaweina—More
horsemen—Insecure border, and scene of a raid—Explore Bur
Dab Range—Robbers’ caves—Exploration of my brother on Wagar
Mountain—Lovely scenery—Return to Berbera—Start on a second
expedition to the Jibril Abokr country—The top of Gán
Libah—A new hartebeest—Death of a leopard—Hargeisa—Natives
clamouring for British protection against Abyssinia—Bold
behaviour of a leopard—Advance to the Marar Prairie—Camp at
Ujawáji—Extraordinary scene on the prairie—Quantities of
game—Gadabursi raid—Jibril Abokr welcome of the English—A
shooting trip on the plains—News of three lions—Vedettes posted
over lions—Advance to the attack—Savage charge; unconscious
and in the clutches of a lioness—My brother’s account of
the accident—His own narrow escape, and death of a fine
lion—Civility of the Jibril Abokr—Abyssinian news—Return to the
coast—Recovery from wounds—Third expedition; to the Gadabursi
country—Great raid by the Jibril Abokr on the Bahgoba—Curious
adventure with robbers—Betrayed by vultures—Raiding
tactics—First meeting with the Gadabursi—Meeting with Ugaz
Núr—The rival sultans—Construction of an Abyssinian fort at
Biyo-Kabóba—Esa in a ferment—Speech of Múdun Golab—My brother
bags a large bull elephant—March to Zeila 77-118