'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎304] (323/622)

304 HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY.
la the same year an Expedition, for geographical purposes,
was organised at Bombay, which merits some notice here, as an
officer of the Indian Navy was one of the party, and was the
only one who fell a victim to the treachery of the natives.
This Expedition, which was started under the auspices of the
Bombay Government, had for its object the exploration of the
Soomali country, and was placed nnder the command of
Captain Richard Burton, of the 18th Bombay Native Infantry,
the now world-renowned traveller, who had already earned a
reputation by his adventurous visit to Mecca in the disguise of a
Mahommedan. The other members of the party were Lieutenant
Stroyan, of the Indian Navy, a surveyor of high scientific
attainments. Lieutenant Heme, 1st Bombay Fusiliers, and Lieu
tenant Speke, of the Bengal Army, immortalised by his discovery
of Lake Victoria Nyanza. Captain Burton successfully accom
plished a preliminary journey to Harrar, which had never before
been visited by any other European, Lieutenant Speke pene
trated into the country of the Warasingali tribe of Soomalies,
and Lieutenants Herne and Stroyan remained at Berhera
during the annual fair, to acquire information regarding that
port. All four met at Berbera in April, 1855, with the in
tention of accompanying the return kafilah A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. inland to Ogaden.
The fair at Berbera terminated on the 15th of April, when the
last inhabitants of that late populous town proceeded into the
interior; on the 18th a baghalah entered the creek, and the
nacoda and crew were entertained by the officers who, most
providentially as it turned out, detained the vessel all night in
the harbour. The travellers retired to rest that night as usual,
and about two a.m., on the following morning, were attacked by
a body of one hundred and fifty to two hundred well armed
Soomalies, chiefly of the Esa Moosa tribe, at whose approacti
the servants, almost without exception, took to flight, leaving
their masters to defend themselves as they best could. ieu
tenant Stroyan was killed before he could reach his arms.
Lieutenant Burton was wounded by a spear, which passea
through his cheek, dividing the palate, Lieutenant Speke was
taken prisoner, wounded in several places, but managed to e e
his escape almost by a miracle, and Lieutenant Herne alone -
niained unscathed. The entire property and baggage of the ex
pedition were plundered, and the surviving officers, w^h the ie
servants who remained faithful to them, took refuge in
halah, carrying with them the remains of Lieutenan >
which they committed to the deep during their pa g
&e., and all were housed in the store-rooms at Aden till a vessd came ^
Eeunion and took away the bulk. The offer through the
though done entirely on my own responsibility, was Jf® A this
Consul at Bombay, of a gold medal from the French government ^
was not till three years after the salvage, I declined
too lace."