'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎80] (97/258)

Ixxx
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY.
the 19th, the division of the plunder, estimated at Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 15,000, commenced,
which had the effect of setting the Somalis fighting and wrangling amongst them
selves, spears being liberally brandished in each other’s faces. Lieut. Spe.ke s
captor went to look after his own interests in the division of the S P 01 1 ! whilst
thus alone, a Somali came up and asked Lieut. Speke whether he were a Christian
or Mussulman, adding that if he were a ‘ Nasseraui’ [[christian"j he would kill him,
but that if a good Moslem, he would spare his life; he replied that he was a
Christian, and that he had better therefore kill him at once, the Somali laughed
and passed on his way—he was succeeded by a wretch who tried to spear Lieut.
Speke through his heart, but putting up his hands he adverted the blow, and m
doing so received a spear wound on the back of the hand.. The monster then
speared the bound captive in his left thigh. Lieut. Speke seized the spear, but a
heavy blow from his tormentor’s cudgel, completely paralyzed his arm and caused
him to drop the spear. Pausing a little, the ruffian passed over to the other side,
then suddenly bringing his spear down, he thrust it clean through Lieut. Speke's
right thigh. Seeing that the man was determined to murder him, Lieut. Speke
jumped up and rushed towards him, causing his tormentor to fall back in great
alarm. Seizing this opportunity Lieut. Speke ran off, and looking round, man
aged to avoid the spear which the ruffian had hurled after him; a perfect shower
of spears from other Somalis were also darted after him, but none touched him;
he continued his flight till he found that he was not pursued, when faint from his
wounds and loss of blood, he sat down for a few minutes—then hobbling along
he fell in with a few of his native followers, and by their assistance he managed
to reach the buggalow Large trading vessel. , three miles distant, being at the entrance of the creek.
Lieut. Burton had fortunately at an early period sent to stop this buggalow Large trading vessel. ,
then on the point of standing out to sea, and on reaching her himself, he dis
patched the crew to the assistance of the party. These brought in the corpse
of Lieut. Stroyan, collected the dispersed followers, and such of the baggage of
the plundered camp as still remained on the ground. Finding that several of the
natives were still absent, Lieut. Burton directed the Nacodah to put into the
watering place of ‘ Seyarah,’ but as no intelligence could here be obtained of the
missing men, the Nacodah was ordered to stand across for Aden. The officers
had hoped to have been able to bring over the body of their lamented comrade
for interment at Aden, but decomposition set in so rapidly, that on the morning
of the 20th April, they were compelled to commit it to the deep, Lieut. Herne
reading the fuueral service over it. The buggalow Large trading vessel. arrived at Aden on the morn
ing of the 22 nd instant ; the wounded officers were speedily attended to by
Dr. Costelloe, and Lieut. Burton was sent home on sick certificate by the
Mail of the 25th April. Lieut. Speke is progressing favorably, but his numer
ous wounds—eleven in all—will necessiate his following his companion to Eng
land, and he will proceed by the very next mail. On the 23rd April Lieut. Bur
ton’s Moonshe returned to Aden ; he had made,his way to Antarad and from
thence crossed over to Aden. The Somalis of the expedition had scattered and
returned to their homes, Lieutenant Burton’s servant alone is absent at present,
ho is said to have gone to Karam, and awaits a boat leaving for Aden.”
Another Aden correspondent, under the same date, writes as follows:—
“ Towards the close of the year 1854, Lieutenant Herne, 1st Fusiliers, an officer
of some industry, and junior member of the African Mission, was detached by
Lieutenant Burton to the Fort of Berberra, with instructions to explore the coun
try in its immediate vicinity, with a view of ascertaining its mineral and vegeta
ble products. Lieutenant Herne was also ordered to communicate with the
different merchants who came with the Caravans, to enquire what were the pro
ducts of the countries from which the Caravans came and through which they
had passed } in short to procure any information which might prove useful or