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.
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