290 Wanderings in Eastern Africa, 
long crooked limbs, and very large hands and feet 
Looks as if he were altogether out of joint. Yet 
in disposition he is one of the best of the party. 
He can bear a vast amount of joking about his 
person and figure, scarcely ever losing his temper; 
greatly helped therein by possessing a ready wit and 
considerable smartness in retort. He acknowledges 
his ungainliness, but has a sharp eye for the defects 
of others, often turning the laugh upon them. He 
is the Sambo of the company, a merry, jocular, 
droll, kind-hearted fellow, creating more amusement 
than all the rest put together. 15. Dsombo, a good- 
looking lad, who would attend me as a page. 16. 
Aba Shora, a Galla, quite thirty years of age ; 
small, spare figure, not strong, but a true son of the 
desert, and from use capable of greater endurance 
than most. With his wife and child he fled to me when 
his tribe was being hunted to death. I took care of 
and instructed him, and the result fully rewarded me 
for my pains. Born and bred a savage, he is yet, in 
disposition and spirit, as quiet and harmless as a 
child. He is very kind-hearted, true and fearless; his 
affection for me is strong, ardent, sincere, and I knew 
that he would be, as he proved, attentive and faithful. 
Such were the men who were to be my servants 
and companions under circumstances which I knew 
would try their mettle to the utmost. 
A more unpretending little caravan was perhaps 
never organized ; yet, insignificant as it seems, it cost 
me a great many hours' hard work and some anxiety 
before all was ready to start. 
The outfit was not such as I could have wished, but 
it was the best which, under the circumstances, I could 
