134 ASSA-HEMERAH MUDITU. 



beneficial effect upon me, and I felt again enjoying 

 the life I was leading. I also anticipated some 

 shooting the next day, and cleaned my guns in 

 preparation, in which operation I was assisted by 

 Zaido and Allee, who managed by some nonsense 

 or other to derange the action of the locks of my 

 carbine, for in their anxiety to prove themselves 

 fitting attendants in the chase, they persisted in 

 exhibiting their knowledge of firearms, by at- 

 tempting to let the hammer of the lock gently 

 down upon the nipple in the process of uncock- 

 ing. This difficult operation bothered them a 

 great deal, and the result was that, much to their 

 discomfiture, and my displeasure, they materially 

 injured one lock, to repair which cost me a deal of 

 time and trouble. The evening I spent talking 

 with Allee respecting a great fight, which some 

 three or four years before, had taken place between 

 the Assa-hemerah Muditu and the other Dankalli 

 tribes coalesced against them, in which contest 

 several hundreds were slain, and near to the scene 

 of which we should pass during our journey. 



As night came on, a large feast of boiled rice 

 and dates was prepared for a considerable 

 number of the Muditu, who had come into camp, 

 and were, as usual, demanding some present on the 

 occasion of our passing through their country. 

 They came in so late, however, that they were not 

 aware of my presence ; and consequently, did not 

 come near me that evening. Ohmed Mahomed 



