INTRODUCTION. 21 



which is four miles inland from Steamer Point, 

 where the artillery are stationed. The length of this 

 crater I should estimate at about i|- miles, and the 

 breadth threequarters of a mile, and it is the mouth 

 of an extinct volcano. The chief feature of Aden 

 is the very strong fort there, which commands the 

 Straits of Babel-Mandeb, the entrance to the Red 

 Sea from the Indian Ocean, There is no vegetation 

 to relieve the eye, nothing but volcanic hills, the 

 highest peak of which is 1,700 feet. The radiating 

 heat from these volcanic rocks — often coupled with 

 a breathless atmosphere at night — necessitated the 

 use of punkahs, without which one could not sleep. 

 The place would have been unbearable but for a 

 very genial and hospitable General at Steamer 

 Point, who did a lot for us in the way of entertain- 

 ment ; and for an Ai European Regiment, the 54th 

 Dorsetshire, who did their very best to make the 

 time pass pleasantly. As they were quartered with 

 us in the Crater, we knew them very well, and were 

 very "chummy " together. 



At the end of the cold weather, the drill season 

 being over and musketry course concluded, the com- 

 manding officer went home on three months' leave, 

 and I, as next senior, assumed command till my 

 retirement from the Service on the ist of June, 

 1886. I embarked on the 8th June, travelling by 

 easy stages across the Continent, arriving in Eng- 

 land the beginning of July, 1886. 



In conclusion, perhaps I ought to mention that I 

 entered H.M.'s 'Service as Ensign in 1862, obtained 



