332 THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA 
leave, as those from London or Bombay would probably go farther and try 
unexplored ground. 
The minimum number of personal servants will be as follows :— 
One body servant to look alter the tent and bedding, and lay out the 
meals. He should also be able to interpret. 
One cook. 
_ Two hunters (shikdris) to track, collect news of game, carry spare 
rifles, clean them, and skin and prepare specimens. 
One personal camelman to lead, saddle, and tend the Somali camel 
which will be ridden, at a walking pace, by the European traveller. I 
have found this method of progression, though slow, irksome and rather 
uncomfortable. Whenever game is sighted it is possible to jump off for 
a shot, or fire from the camel’s back. Spare rifles, ammunition, blankets, 
and food can be carried, which would be impossible where a pony is ridden. 
A pony requires water in the Haud, whereas a Somali camel does not. In 
long expeditions, where expensive arrangements are made on a large scale, 
it may answer to take a good Arab trotting camel from Aden. These camels, 
though excellent in every way, require grain daily, and water at least 
every second day ; while Somali camels, though incapable of trotting, have 
the advantage of picking up their own food by the wayside, and can, at 
a pinch, march without water for nearly a fortnight. If it is decided 
to take’ponies, they can be obtained nearly anywhere in Somaliland. 
For the led camel an Arab pad saddle must be bought in Aden, and 
as it is sometimes difficult to procure, it might with advantage be ordered 
beforehand. 
The following articles may be carried on the camel riden by the 
European :— 
A pair of saddle-bags. 
Haversacks containing food and spare ammunition. 
Small hand camera, 
A couple of spare sporting rifles. 
Two or three blankets. 
Large water-bottle. 
Prismatic compass (if used). 
It is the duty of the personal camelman to see that these are correctly 
packed on the camel at the beginning of a march, and safely housed in 
the tent on camp being pitched. , 
Thus we have five personal servants. The remaining servants will be 
camelmen for the baggage camels, and temporary servants who may be 
engaged for short periods in the interior, such as guides. Some of the 
camelmen should know something of the line of proposed travel, and be 
able to act as guides if local men fail. 
Over all, whether personal servants or camelmen, should be placed a 
headman or caravan commander, who will also be interpreter and con- 
fidential adviser to his European master. He should know whichever of 
the three languages—Arabic, Hindustani, or English—his master wishes 
to make the medium between himself and the natives. His business is to 
superintend the loading of the camels, select the site for the halting-place, 
and superintend pitching the camp; to interview chiefs and natives who 
visit the camp, to have military command of the caravan in the absence of 
his master, to arrange for the relief of sentries at night, and choose the 
place for the zeritba and the watch-fires. 
