SOMALILAND 
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and my teeth chattered as I walked along. About 8 a.m. 
we reached Gunder Libah, and soon after joined my old 
route to Allahballah. On a patch of burnt ground, upon 
which grew some emerald-green grass, we spied a small 
herd of oryx feeding. I fired at the one with the largest 
horns, and she fell with a loud bellow to the ground. Her 
horns measured 31 inches in length, and she produced an 
almost incredible amount of milk (about as much as a 
small cow) which was most delicious after the hot tramp in 
the sun. 
We then ‘ made the tanks,’ as my boy called pitching the 
DEAD ORYX. 
tent. At 3 we encountered a man, and took the news. 
He told a lie, as usual. He said we should find plenty of 
w'ater at Edegan, which was then ‘ tidings of comfort and 
joy ’ to me. Shortly after a silver-backed jackal all but 
ran right into us, so noiselessly did we march. He was so 
close that I shot over him with the gun. I tried my old 
pony for the first time for two months. He walked all on 
one side, and gave me a ‘ crick ’ in the side, which was most 
uncomfortable. When I dismounted, I put him up for 
auction, but as none of my men would bid more than a 
sovereign, I bought him in. At night there was the usual 
row about the water allowance. I asked my boy what was 
