MY SOMALI BOOK 77 



the Ab^^ssinian was a very debased form of Christianitj^, 

 but . . . ! 



It was interesting, too, to listen to J. and B. on the 

 subject of a probable " bust-up " across the border in 

 the event of Menelek's death, and the possible effect 

 on the political situation in Somaliland qua that 

 eminently sane gentleman the " INIad Mullah " : their 

 points of view, the one that of a district official 

 under the Colonial Office, the other of a soldier 

 who had been some years in the country, were so 

 different. 



But this is not the occasion for a discussion of 

 Somali politics. Room may perhaps be found, how- 

 ever, for one true story — even though somewhat irre- 

 levant — of the last " show." 



In connection with, I presume, water supply, a 

 cable was sent to the Colonial Office asking for the 

 despatch of two " Parson's pumps," whatever they 

 are exactly. A short time afterwards, an official of 

 the Protectorate, returning from furlough on a P. and 

 O. Imer, was surprised to find himself accosted by two 

 reverend gentlemen eager for information as to Somali- 

 land, to which country they had just been appointed 

 by the Colonial Office for service with troops. I 

 believe one was a Roman Catholic and the other a 

 Presbyterian, while the only troops in the country were 

 natives of either India or Africa, all, or nearly all, 

 followers of the Prophet ; the sprinkling of British 

 officers sure to be nearly all Church of England. How- 

 ever, they were under a year's contract, and I believe 

 both put in their full time at Sheikh, the military 

 headquarters. Whether the parsons answered the 



