6 MR. C. V. A. PEEL A>*D OTHERS OS [Jan. 23, 



(Second expedition. June 5th to October 29th, 1S97.) 



Being anxious to continue my researches in tlieXatural History 

 of Somalilaud, and if possible to cross the Ganana River and 

 explore Lake Rudolph, I set out from Berbera again in 1897, 

 accompanied by Mr. J. Benett-Stanford, F.Z.S., and his wife. 

 We took with us a very large caravan of camels and escort. \\ e 

 crossed the great Grulia Range of mountains by the Gerato Pass, 

 and encamping at Lehello, there awaited more camels, which were 

 being bought for us in Berbera. Lehello lay in stony ground by 

 the everlasting dried-up river-bed. Here insect-life was fairly 

 abundant, as will be seen from a perusal of the subsequent parts 

 of this memoir. 



We removed next to the Toyo Plain, a vast open space devoid of 

 trees, and then crossing the waterless Hand District readied 

 the wells of Farfanyer in Ogaden. Here we were overtaken by a 

 messenger from the political officer at the coast, forbidding us to 

 go to the Ganana River, as the Somalia were reported to be 

 fighting the Abyssinians there. This was a great disappointment 

 to us, after getting together such a large caravan and escort. At 

 Farfanyer we fell in with a great number of Somalis armed with 

 rifles, which they had looted from the Abyssinians, whom they had 

 .defeated in two battles on the Webbi Shebeyli. At Farfanyer 

 Mr. and Mrs. Stanford stayed, looking for rhinoceros, whilst I, 

 with my separate caravan, went in search of a reported lion. 

 Eventually 1 lost the Stanforda altogether, and although I sent 

 guides to look for them, it was of no use, owing to the denseness 

 of the bush. 1 had a very bad attack of fever, and after waiting for 

 over a fortnight to try and get news of my friends, or to get a guide 

 to take me back, I was obliged to give it up and march on alone. 



Hearing of elephants in the Marehan and Haweea Countries, I 

 determined to explore this little-known territory, and so marched 

 across the great Marehan Desert and reached Habr Heshi, where 

 we at length found water. Here I shot a fine lion which charged 

 me, but I managed by great good luck to stop the animal when it 

 was within a few yards. 



After leaving Habr Heshi we encountered stony barren country, 

 and pitched camp at Sinnadogho in the Haweea country, where 

 there were fresh tracks of elephants. Here the natives were 

 extremely troublesome, and I had a very anxious time. Several of 

 my rifles, cloth for barter, and a pony were looted from me, and 

 my followers were frequently attacked. I marched to Job, the 

 furthest point south-east I was destined to reach. We were then 

 about six days' distance from the east coast. Finding no elephants, 

 I went on to Kadea, looting on the way a pony in exchange for 

 the one taken from me. Upwards of five hundred armed men 

 made their appearance at this point, and 1 thought we were in for a 

 big fight, some of the young men dancing themselves into a perfect 

 frenzy. I was obliged to lire over their heads, to keep them from 

 looting my camels. They succeeded, however, in stealing some 



