334 THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA 
One of these camelmen will be given a slight increase of pay, and be 
made makadam in charge of the camels and camelmen, under the head- 
man of the caravan. 
The duties of the camelmen will be to load and unload the camels, lead 
them when on the march, keep guard over them when grazing, and water 
them when necessary. 
In addition to the special duties of camelmen, servants, and hunters, 
every Somali member of the expedition, including the headman, should 
take his share of the following duties which are necessary for the common 
comfort, namely, — 
To carry a ride or spear and aid in defence if necessary. 
Sentry duties in camp. 
Collecting firewood for the watch-fires. 
Water-supply for camp use. 
Forming the zeriba round the camp. 
If every Somali, without exception, is made to take his share in these 
duties there will be no jealousy or trouble. The European, to whom the 
climate is strange, should be the only man exempt from such duty ; but 
when away from camp, with only two or three attendants, I was accus- 
tomed to take my share. 
There being such a small force, it will pay to arm the eleven men with 
good weapons, such as Martini or Snider carbines, or Remingtons. I 
have also generally given or lent my men the following equipment, 
namely, one “khaki” drill coat, with pockets; one cartridge-belt and 
pouch to contain an oiled rag, one brown blanket, and one cheap 
butcher’s knife in leather sheath. This equipment is not absolutely 
necessary, but is desirable if the escort is to be smart and efficient. The 
cartridge-belt should be made to contain thirty cartridges, of which a few 
should be loaded with buckshot for sentry-duty at night. It is necessary 
to be careful that men who may accompany their master when shooting 
have no white about their clothing, as it drives away game. 
The headman, five personal servants, and five camelmen, eleven in all, 
will be the permanent party engaged beforehand, who will serve through- 
out the trip and return with the caravan to the coast. In addition, 
enough food should be carried for the following temporaiy servants, to be 
engaged locally in the interior and dismissed again as required, namely, — 
Two guides, one being for the white man, to accompany him and the 
two hunters when out shooting ; the other, who may with advantage be 
an influential Akil, 1 to guide the camel caravan. 
One small boy, to look after milk-goats, sheep, or donkeys, which it 
may be necessary to buy in the interior and drive with the caravan. 
Donkeys are useful as fcaits for lions. 
We shall require to buy twelve camels, ten being for baggage, one for 
the European to ride, one a spare animal without mats or load. About 
10 per cent is a good proportion of spare camels. They are not absolutely 
necessary, but desirable. 
We will now accurately calculate what will be the loads, and whether 
the ten baggage camels will be able to carry them. 
The loads will come under the following heads : — 
(a) Rations, 42 days, for 14 Somalis (with percentage for guests). 
(b) Rations, 42 days, for one European. 
1 I.e. a “ wise man,” elder, or petty chief. 
