TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 291 
limned clear the mighty peaks, and brooding night 
swept gently down the slopes and wrapped the world 
in sombre garb. The wild eerie grandeur of it im- 
pressed me greatly, and I simply could not leave our 
terraced plateau, but beneath the arch of the stars 
sat on and marvelled. Then, as though by some 
special arrangement of Providence for our good 
entertainment, a mighty storm brewed itself suddenly 
away over the Marmitime, then crept insidiously to 
the Golis, and broke in majesty. The bombardment 
lasted for an hour or more, reverberating through every 
pass and every ravine ; the heavens were alight with 
wondrous flashes, that rent the air in forked spears, 
striking down to the depths of the darkest crevass. 
We were as safe outside the tent as in, I think, but 
nowhere very safe, the lightning grew so close. 
Some of the men got under herios , some even under 
the standing camels, a nice Juggernaut to run the 
risk of bringing down on one’s devoted head. Then, 
gradually the wildness passed, and spent itself in 
deep-tongued mutterings and distant murmurs. Then 
came the rain, Somali rain, and we had to shelter. 
Cecily’s treasure had made us our inevitable night- 
cap — tea — before the streams of water drenched his 
fire. Thanks be ! 
I pictured in my mind the days when herds of 
elephants roamed the Golis valleys, and the lion woke 
the still ravines with resonant sound. Alas ! this 
place will know them no more. 
The Sheik Pass is, of course, christened after the 
old gentleman who is buried in the wedding-cake 
