350 
THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA 
he will share with all the members of the caravan, and ask if he is 
satisfied. When the. men have all been engaged at the coast I appoint 
a time of parade and a convenient spot on the shore, and each man 
fires two or three rounds of ball ammunition at a mark, under my 
superintendence. The ball ammunition should be brought to the spot 
in a bag, not served out to the men. in fact I seldom serve out any 7 
ball ammunition till the caravan has made about two marches from the 
coast. If it is a large amount it may be taken out for this distance on 
a hired camel. 
After these first few shots at a mark I hold two or three parades, 
serving out ten rounds of blank ammunition per man at each, and 
practise the men in skirmishing. 
The rough drill which I have always used is as follows : — 
The men form up in line about half a pace apart, with carbines 
held perpendicularly in the right hand and close to the side (the 
carbine “ shoulder ”). 
On the word “ Advance” all run forward steadily, keeping a fairly 
good line. 
On the word “Halt” they drop to a sitting position (squatting 
naturally, as natives do, on both heels). 
“ Ready ” — the men load with blank cartridge. 
“ Present” — the aim is taken. 
“Fire” — the trigger is pressed. 
“Advance” — the men run forward again, taking care to take out 
any unexploded cartridge or to open the breech. 
“Halt” — they sit as before, and wait for the word “Ready” or 
Advance.” . 
It might be advisable, if actually attacked when on the march, to 
retire upon the camels the better to protect them ; so the men should 
be practised in retiring steadily and sitting down facing the enemy to 
fire, on the words ‘‘Retire” and “Halt.” The Somali should in all 
these practices be told the supposed direction of the enemy, and also 
that whenever he is given the word “Halt” he is to squat down facing 
the enemy. I always carry a whistle ; and when the men are advancing, 
retiring, or halted ready for firing volleys, I sound an alarm on the 
whistle, and train them to run and form a rough double circle round 
me, outer circle squatting on their heels, inner circle standing. We 
then fire volleys, the idea being that the enemy is trying to ovenvhelm 
the escort by a rush to close quarters. 
On the word “Advance” the men run out in a rough line facing the 
enemy. It is wonderful how quickly Somalis get to understand the 
few English words of command necessary, and how well they grasp the 
idea in each movement. This is because they are brought up from 
childhood among raids and skirmishes. 
The headman, if he is any good, will soon learn to command the 
men at drill, and he should be often practised in this. The men take 
the greatest delight in these drills, especially if plenty of blank cartridge 
is given them, and when it is desirable to gain the firm friendship of a 
tribe and at the same time to impress the tribesmen with the efficiency 
of the escort, there is nothing like giving a display of this kind. 
During the first few days’ march from the coast, when in unin- 
habited country, I accustom the men to run out quickly to defend the 
