A CORDIAL RECEPTION 



into the interior to purchase camels, and insisted 

 on my riding his mule when I returned to the river, 

 before crossing over to Gobwein. In addition, he 

 provided me with soldiers to see me safely down, and 

 they formed an escort which, although totally un- 

 necessary, was highly picturesque. These native 

 soldiers wore white cotton shirts and loose trousers 

 with crimson belts, and long cock's feathers in their 

 red fez, but this uniform does not look nearly so 

 smart as that of the Jubaland Camel Corps. The 

 latter wear tunic and shirt of a peculiar shade of 

 khaki, almost a warm grey in colour, blue puttees, 

 and a yellow cap with peak and a white cloth to 

 protect the neck. Over this uniform the smartly 

 polished brown leather accoutrements look particu- 

 larly well. In war time, or when marching, the 

 tunic is replaced by a blue cotton jersey, which 

 is not only inconspicuous but is highly serviceable. 



Having thus successfully accomplished my 

 purpose, and despatched my headman in search 

 of camels, I returned to Kismayu, and decided to 

 go for a short expedition to the Dibayu Plain while 

 awaiting him. I therefore hired five camels from 

 an Arab, and having selected the things I should 

 need for a few days in the bush, was ready to start 

 on the morrow. I always think it is a good plan, 

 previous to embarking on a long journey, to take a 

 little trip such as this. It enables one to try the 

 men, and, if necessary, to weed out the undesirables 

 before it is too late ; moreover it gives them a chance 

 to know your ways, which may save friction and 

 unpleasantness in the future. 



48 



