278 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 



necessary for us to march as swiftly as might be. We 

 took on three of the most terrific treks, for length and 

 weariness unsurpassed. The track was fortunately 

 good, but the dust was absolutely blinding, blowing 

 before the wind in clouds, and once or twice during the 

 march I had the tent pitched that we might rest awhile 

 in a slightly clearer atmosphere. Our small quantity 

 of water was used almost at once, and the last march 

 on the Haud was a forced one indeed. We lumbered 

 on long after darkness had fallen, and reached some 

 wells, apparently free, about eleven o'clock. The men 

 formed a rough zareba, but we were all too tired to 

 trouble much, and after watering the animals by the 

 light of the watch fires we had supper and turned in. 



The Haud now was safely over, and before us lay 

 the great ascent of the Goli range. The gradual rise 

 began to be felt after the second day's march. We 

 saw numerous Speke's gazelle, and Cecily bagged a 

 fine male, after a prolonged chase, that took her some 

 miles from camp. I was nearly out of my senses with 

 toothache, a grievous pain indeed, and one so im- 

 possible almost, under the circumstances, to cure. 

 Dentistry was beyond us. 



For two days I trekked in a state of semi-delirium. 

 I got no peace at night nor by day, until at last I hit 

 on a glorious panacea. We had finished a huge day, 

 and on turning in for another sleepless night I decided 

 to drink enough whisky to paralyse me and the 

 tooth. A very little spirit overcomes me. I mixed 

 half a tumbler full of whisky with precious little 

 water — drank it — and knew no more till morning ! 



