observed in Northern Somali-land. 71 



when we were cowering under our shelter that a loud burst 

 of thunder over our heads reminded us of our rifles, upon 

 which we were almost sitting. The situation was far from 

 pleasant, for, apart from the fact of our having so much iron 

 near us, the two tall trees under which we were sheltering 

 were very likely conductors in themselves, being the only 

 trees of their size for miles around. However, there was 

 nothing to be done for it, as the only alternative was to 

 stand outside and be drenched to the skin, and court an 

 almost certain attack of fever. The storm raged overhead, 

 and our trees, burdened as they were with their " top 

 hamper " of creepers, seemed almost certain to crash down 

 upon us. After about ten minutes' suspense the storm 

 gradually moved off in an easterly direction. But now a 

 new anxiety presented itself. We were encamped, as I 

 said, on a little low island in the broad river-bed, and hardly 

 had the storm abated when we heard the rush of advancing 

 waters, which were hidden by a bend a little Avay above us. 

 Soon a thick turbid flood came surging round the corner, 

 and spread out on both sides of us from bank to bank. We 

 were still two feet above the water ; but masses of debris piled 

 against the trees showed to what height previous floods had 

 risen, and, as it was still raining in torrents among the hills, 

 though it had ceased with us, we thought it wiser to put 

 our things out of harm's way. So saddles, panniers, chairs, 

 and rifles were lifted up into the loops of the creeper- 

 stems above the highest flood-mark, we ourselves intending 

 to follow when there was no longer any dry land left to stand 

 on : however, we were spared this, and the water, having 

 nearly deprived us of standing-room, began to abate. 

 By 3 P.M. the river^s bed was dry again, and we started on 

 our way to Bihen, arriving there about 6.30. To our great 

 relief, we found that the caravan had escaped the rain 

 altogether. So very local are these tropical downpours that, 

 though the caravan had only passed a few miles to the south 

 of us, on the other side of Dimoleh, it had entirely missed 

 the storm. Aylmer, who was shooting in that direction, 

 escaped a wetting, while Gunnis, who was with us, was 



