GARAHMEE. 137 



the laughing accompaniment of their companions 

 proved the zest with which they enjoyed this 

 evident encounter of some rival wits. 



April Sth. — This morning, the loud voice of Ga- 

 rahmee called us to saddle and march two hours 

 before sunrise, and, surprised at his assumption of 

 this part of the duties of the Ras, I began to be 

 afraid that Garahmee's bold bearing, combined with 

 his talents for finesse, had placed him at the head 

 of the Kafilah, although not possessing himself a 

 camel, or a single bag of salt. On inquiring from 

 the timid whispering Zaido, I found this to be the 

 case, and that Garahmee had taken the command 

 partly from the want of decision and partly from 

 the wish to avoid a contest with him, not only of 

 Ohmed Mahomed, but of all the rest of the Kafi- 

 lah men. Besides, Garahmee was supported by his 

 four Hy Soumaulee brothers, who were quite suffi- 

 cient to impose submission upon the peaceably dis- 

 posed people of Tajourah, who had everything to 

 lose by a collision with them. It was Garahmee's 

 object now to hurry on our Kafilah to prevent it 

 being joined by another, which had arrived 

 after us, and was then loading with salt at 

 Assal, and messengers from which had arrived 

 in our camp during the night, to request Ohmed 

 Mahomed to remain where we were at Allulee for 

 it to join us, and proceed together. 



Many of our camels were already loaded, and all 

 had been collected for the same purpose, but very 



