AN EXCITED SHUM 



379 



presents : I went through the usual routine, giving them 

 an egg-cupful of rum each, showing them my rifles, 

 etc. It kept fine till four o'clock, and we were able to 

 sun all the loads, and get the raw skins partly dry. 

 While thus occupied, we were provided with much 

 amusement by an old Shum, who worked himself up 

 into a frantic state of excitement over the refusal of 

 some villagers to obey his orders to bake bread for the 

 stranger. The rum, added to tej, had gone to his head, 

 and, as he waved about an ancient rifle, while beating 

 his breast with his other hand, tearing his hair and 

 showering curses on the heads of his rebellious subjects, 

 he looked as mad a figure as one could wish to see. I 

 should dearly like to have secured a photo of him in his 

 tantrums, but feared that it might turn his wrath in my 

 direction. At last they quieted him down and, acting on 

 my advice, took him to bed, which was clearly the best 

 place for him. 



Male and Female Ibex-Skulls. 



