AND PRECAUTION. 79 



did not appear themselves, for among our Kafilah 

 were some individuals of a tribe with whom this 

 Bedouin family had a blood feud. During the whole 

 day I observed several of them assembled on a 

 spur of Jibel Goodee, awaiting the result of our 

 arrival with spear and shield in hand, as if they 

 expected an attack. After supper I directed Allee 

 and Zaido to make a little fort of boxes, as I saw I 

 had nothing to trust to but the greatest precaution 

 on my part. I was only afraid of night attacks, for 

 during the day I felt pretty well assured that I 

 should be quite free from any molestation, but even 

 this partial idea of security led me subsequently 

 into considerable danger ; and, as I hope my expe- 

 rience may be of service to future travellers, my 

 errors shall be duly paraded with the same fairness 

 as those incidents I shall no doubt speak of, from 

 which I expect any credit may arise. 



The roof of my box-fort or hut was made by 

 placing the long camel saddle-sticks across from 

 side to side, over which I threw my carpet, and 

 on this piled camel saddles, mats, and every- 

 thing calculated to awaken me by making a noise 

 in case of any one attempting to uncover my 

 retreat. A good palanquin with locks on the 

 doors would not be a bad carriage for such a 

 country as Adal. The dilemma would be to 

 procure bearers, for I do not think the native 

 Dankalli could by any means be induced to the 



