THE HABR-AWAL, ~ 17 
It was my plan in Africa to drink only boiled water, 
and I had two water-barrels especially made in London 
to contain the boiled water for the three Europeans. 
One of my mules now caused us much uneasiness by 
trying to break these two barrels; but although he suc- 
ceeded in kicking them off, they were fortunately not 
injured. 
There were a few gazelle and Oryx dezsa about, but we 
did not shoot them, as the country called Habr-Awal, 
which extends from Berbera south to Hargesa, a distance 
of ninety-five miles by road, is reserved for the Indian gar- 
rison at Aden. We lived very well, however, on lesser 
bustards, anda variety of other game-birds, which Gillett 
and I shot; and I succeeded in adding many natural-history 
specimens to my collection, including a curious lizard with 
a very short tail which spread out like a fan (Agama 
batillifera). 
