LEAYE FOR DULHULL. 73 



Cassim took up his position on one side of me, and 

 Ibrahim on the other side of Cassim, whilst during 

 the night Alee and Zaido lay, one at my feet, and 

 the other at my head, to guard against any attempt 

 to assassinate me during the night, it being 

 known that many of the Debenee tribe had 

 declared that no white man should pass again 

 through their country, owing to a dispute about the 

 division of five or six thousand dollars they asserted 

 the Sultaun had received from the English, in pay- 

 ment for the purchase of some small islands in the 

 Bay of Tajourah. The murder of three of Capt. 

 Harris's European escort, eight or nine days' journey 

 inland, was a painful evidence of the vindictive 

 spirit thus excited. From the Debenee I was 

 afterwards told I had more to fear than from any 

 other tribe I should have to pass through. 



During the night, I received a note from Mr. 

 Cruttenden, which I read and answered by the light 

 of the moon. A slight shower of rain gave promise 

 of an abundant supply of water during our journey, 

 and was hailed by all as a very propitious omen. 



March 28th. — Up and off two hours before sunrise. 

 I would not wait for my mule, but walked on with 

 Cassim and Ibrahim whilst the camels were being 

 loaded. Our march lay along the sands, where, for 

 a short time, I sat under the shade of some date- 

 palms, whilst my companions bathed and performed 

 their first prayers for the day. I saw an abundance 

 of game, chiefly guinea-fowl, and the small antelope 



