Chapter V: A Reconnaissance of the Abyssinian Border, 1892

First news of Abyssinian aggression—Start for
Milmil—Unfortunate Bulhár—Across the “Haud” waterless
plateau—Extraordinary landscape—Sudden meeting with the Rer
Ali—Their consternation and pleasant greeting—News of a
raid—Water-supply statistics—Great display at Milmil in honour
of Au Mahomed Sufi—Agitation against Abyssinia—Unsuccessful
lion hunt—Display in honour of the English—Interesting
scene—The vulture-like elders—Success of an Arab pony—Our
camp at Túli—The “Valley of Rhinoceroses”—Two rhinoceros
hunts—Four bagged—Death of a bull rhinoceros—The Waror
wells—Abbasgúl complaints against Abyssinia—First meeting
with Abyssinians—Disturbed country—English sportsmen met at
Hargeisa—Fresh start from Hargeisa—Incessant rains—Thousands of
hartebeests near Gumbur Dúg—Scouting for the Abyssinians—Visit
to the Abyssinian fort at Jig-Jiga—We approach Gildessa—The
caravan imprisoned by the Abyssinians—Embarrassing situation—A
letter to Rás Makunan of Harar—Exciting time at Gildessa—We
retire by night—The answer of the Rás—March to Zeila 119-154