At Noon We Halted Under Some Trees By The Wayside.
Presently We Were Accosted By Six Bedoos Of The Woemah Tribe Who Were
Travelling From Keelulho To Shoa:
They informed us that Demetrius had been
plundered and stripped by the Takyle tribe, that one Arab and three male
slaves had been slain, and that another Arab had fled on horseback to the
Etoh (Ittu) Gallas, whence nothing more had been heard of him:
The rest of
the party were living under the protection of Shaykh Omar Buttoo of the
Takyle. The Bedoos added that plunderers were lying in wait on the banks
of the river Howash for the white people that were about to leave Shoa.
The Ras el Caffilah communicated to me this intelligence, and concluded by
saying: 'Now, if you wish to return, I will take you back, but if you say
forward, let us proceed!' I answered, 'Let us proceed!' I must own that
the intelligence pleased me not; two of my servants were for returning,
but they were persuaded to go on to the next station, where we would be
guided by circumstances. About 2 o'clock P.M. we again proceeded, after a
long "Cullam" or talk, which ended in Datah Mahomed sending for assistance
to a neighbouring tribe. During a conversation with the Ras el Caffilah, I
found out that the Bedoos were lying in wait, not for the white people,
but for our caravan. It came out that these Bedouins had had the worst of
a quarrel with the last Caffilah from Tajoorah: they then threatened to
attack it in force on its return. The Ras el Caffilah was assured that as
long as we journeyed together, I should consider his enemies my enemies,
and that being well supplied with firearms, I would assist him on all
occasions. This offer pleased him, and we became more friendly. We passed
several deserted villages of the Bedoos, who had retired for want of water
towards the Wadys, and about 7 o'clock P.M. halted at the lake Leadoo.
"On the morning of Thursday the 20th, Datah Mahomed came to me and
delivered himself though Deeni as follows: 'My son! our father the
Wallasena entrusted you to my care, we feasted together in Gouchoo--you
are to me as the son of my house! Yesterday I heard that the Bedoos were
waiting to kill, but fear not, for I have sent to the Seedy Habroo for
some soldiers, who will be here soon. Now these soldiers are sent for on
your account; they will want much cloth, but you are a sensible person,
and will of course pay them well. They will accompany us beyond the
Howash!' I replied,' It is true, the Wallasena entrusted me to your care.
He also told me that you were a great chief, and could forward me on my
journey. I therefore did not prepare a large supply of cloth--a long
journey is before me--what can be spared shall be freely given, but you
must tell the soldiers that I have but little. You are now my father!'
"Scarcely had I ceased when the soldiers, fine stout-looking savages,
armed with spear, shield, and crease, mustering about twenty-five, made
their appearance. It was then 10 A.M. The word was given to load the
camels, and we soon moved forward. I found my worthy protector exceedingly
good-natured and civil, dragging on my asses and leading my mules. Near
the Howash we passed several villages, in which I could not but remark the
great proportion of children. At about 3 P.M. we forded the river, which
was waist-deep, and on the banks of which were at least 3000 head of
horned cattle. Seeing no signs of the expected enemy, we journeyed on till
5 P.M., when we halted at the south-eastern extremity of the Howash Plain,
about one mile to the eastward of a small pool of water.
"At daylight on Friday the 21st it was discovered that Datah Mahomed's
horse had disappeared. This was entirely his fault; my servants had
brought it back when it strayed during the night, but he said, 'Let it
feed, it will not run away!' When I condoled with him on the loss of so
noble an animal, he replied, 'I know very well who has taken it: one of my
cousins asked me for it yesterday, and because I refused to give it he has
stolen it; never mind, Inshallah! I will steal some of his camels.' After
a 'Cullam' about what was to be given to our worthy protectors, it was
settled that I should contribute three cloths and the Caffilah ten;
receiving these, they departed much satisfied. Having filled our water-
skins, we resumed our march a little before noon. Several herds of
antelope and wild asses appeared on the way. At 7 P.M. we halted near
Hano. Prevented from lighting a fire for fear of the Galla, I was obliged
to content myself with some parched grain, of which I had prepared a large
supply.
"At sunrise on the 22nd we resumed our journey, the weather becoming warm
and the grass scanty. At noon we halted near Shaykh Othman. I was glad to
find that Deeni had succeeded in converting the Ras el Caffilah from an
avowed enemy to a staunch friend, at least outwardly so; he has now become
as civil and obliging as he was before the contrary. There being no water
at this station, I desired my servant Adam not to make any bread,
contenting myself with the same fare as that of the preceding evening.
This displeasing Datah Mahomed, some misunderstanding arose, which, from
their ignorance of each other's language, might, but for the interference
of the Ras el Caffilah and Deeni, have led to serious results. An
explanation ensued, which ended in Datah Mahomed seizing me by the beard,
hugging and embracing me in a manner truly unpleasant.
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