A NARRO \V SHA VE -:,-] 



which was not yet dry, attracted the attention of one 

 old fellow, who recognised it as being the hide of his 

 lost ox ! He said the beast had left the herd and run 

 wild since last rains. He was at first inclined to make 

 a fuss, and wanted to be paid its value — I must say not 

 without reason. However, in the end Jama gave him 

 some tobacco, and as his chief did not back him up, the 

 matter dropped. 



We did not march till the afternoon. As the caravan 

 moved off, I saw that there was an altercation in pro- 

 gress between Jama and a small group of Tombacca's 

 men, who were gathered together under a tree, where 

 the four goats presented to us had been tied up. My 

 syce ran after us, shouting that the Oderali would only 

 hand over two of the goats, whereupon I, being the 

 nearest, turned and cantered back to the tree. As I 

 approached, the group of natives moved oft, but one 

 big savage stood guard over the remaining two goats 

 with uplifted spear. I was quite unarmed and had 

 outdistanced W. and B., who were galloping alter me, 

 followed by a crowd of our riflemen. The Oderali were 

 standing about in several small groups, eagerly watching 

 our movements. There could be no drawing back, so, 

 kicking up my pony, who was already excited by the 

 others galloping behind him, I went straight for the 

 man. When I was almost upon him, he shortened his 

 arm to stab, but for some reason or other, his nerve 

 failed him, and as I pulled up, my pony almost touching 

 him, he moved behind the tree. In a moment W. and B. 

 were beside me, and our men had surrounded us. The 

 goats were untied and led off by the Somalis, who 



