NATIVE BIVOUAC. 233 



grateful bushes it nourished. Here, in a natural 

 arbour, we found fast asleep our two friends, 

 Ohmed Medina and Garahmee, each with his tobe 

 wrapped closely around the body, and also covering 

 the head, which was supported upon a small wooden 

 pillow. Their spears lay upon the ground close 

 to their right hands, and their shields were sus- 

 pended amidst the bending boughs of the rude 

 bower, which concealed them from the observation 

 of any passing native. The boy, as I supposed, 

 had been posted to watch for our arrival. 



The noise we made awakened Garahmee, who, after 

 the usual lengthened salutations, gave Ebin Izaak 

 an account of their journey to Owssa, from whence it 

 appeared they had travelled during the last night, 

 having arrived where we found them some hours 

 before us. Others of the Kafilah now joining us, 

 Ohmed Medina was roused from his slumbers. 

 Finding Lohitu not accompanying us, I could hear 

 him making some inquiries respecting that chief; 

 and not being satisfied with the information he 

 obtained, as soon as he had arranged his dress, 

 he entered into conversation with me, wanting to 

 know what present I had given to Lohitu, and if 

 I were pleased with him. He then directed my 

 attention to a new shield he had, and which he 

 told me had been given to him by the generous 

 Chief, whose many excellent qualities were now 

 his theme for some time. Among other things, 

 he said, improving upon the idea of Ebin Izaak 



