298 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 



much-needed rest, and looking back one wondered 

 however we had made the journey down so success- 

 fully. The camels seemed none the worse, but one 

 pony, my erstwhile steed " Sceptre," had gone very 

 lame. We were now in big timber country, and for 

 the first time for an age saw water running, and not 

 stagnant. We took off our boots and stockings, and 

 went in at once, only sorry that propriety would not 

 allow a total eclipse. We could not leave that 

 blessed brook ; I really cannot dignify it by the name 

 of river. 



Camp was formed here, but a zareba was no longer 

 a necessity. All that day we drowsed away the hours, 

 wandering about among the trees and chasing butter- 

 flies. It was quite an idyllic day. 



Next morning we left camp, thoroughly fresh and 

 game for a big tramp. We took our way up a rocky 

 gorge that led us towards the Marmitime. The 

 scenery everywhere was still of the most exquisite 

 description, vastly different to the sun-dried plains 

 we had traversed so short a time ago. Walking was 

 not easy, and we made a great clatter of stones as we 

 passed along. Our noise startled a small creature we 

 had not noticed before, so much the colour of the 

 ground was he. He sprang from rock to rock with 

 surprising agility, and poised for a moment ere he took 

 off again like some light-winged bird. We excitedly 

 started in pursuit, and I was almost certain we should 

 lose him. Cecily vowed she must risk it, and I did 

 not think it mattered very much anyway. The 

 gazelle seemed to me lost. 



