278 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 
necessary for us to march as swiftly as might be. We 
took on three of the most terrific treks, for length and 
weariness unsurpassed. The track was fortunately 
good, but the dust was absolutely blinding, blowing 
before the wind in clouds, and once or twice during the 
march I had the tent pitched that we might rest awhile 
in a slightly clearer atmosphere. Our small quantity 
of water was used almost at once, and the last march 
on the Hand was a forced one indeed. We lumbered 
on long after darkness had fallen, and reached some 
wells, apparently free, about eleven o’clock. The men 
formed a rough zareba, but we were all too tired to 
trouble much, and after watering the animals by the 
light of the watch fires we had supper and turned in. 
The Haud now was safely over, and before us lay 
the great ascent of the Goli range. The gradual rise 
began to be felt after the second day’s march. We 
saw numerous Speke’s gazelle, and Cecily bagged a 
fine male, after a prolonged chase, that took her some 
miles from camp. I was nearly out of my senses with 
toothache, a grievous pain indeed, and one so im- 
possible almost, under the circumstances, to cure. 
Dentistry was beyond us. 
For two days I trekked in a state of semi-delirium. 
I got no peace at night nor by day, until at last I hit 
on a glorious panacea. We had finished a huge day, 
and on turning in for another sleepless night I decided 
to drink enough whisky to paralyse me and the tooth. 
A very little spirit overcomes me. I mixed half a 
tumbler full of whisky with precious little water — * 
drank it— and knew no more till morning ! The 
