'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎82] (99/258)

IxXXli PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY.
guards more humane than the rest, tied his hands in front, this proved to
him a fortunate circumstance, as fresh guards in the morning attempted to kill
him by driving a spear through his chest, and one scoundrel drove a spear
through his thigh ;—Lieutenant Speke being an active person managed to escape
by running away. He received eleven spear wounds. Of Lieutenant Stroyan’s
fate on that night nothing was known. Lieutenant Burton heard him call out if
there was going to be firing, and he told him that the camp was attacked and to
get up. He was never seen alive after this. From the deposition of his servants
it was ascertained that he had no fire arms near him, and that all his guns were
unloaded in his tent, except one barrel of a double gun,—such was the fatal secu
rity of the entire party. When day broke Lieutenant Burton with the assist
ance of the faithful Has Kaffila and a run-away escaped Aden convict got on
board the solitary buggalow Large trading vessel. , which fortunately for them still remained. He was
shortly joined by Lieutenants Herne and Speke. The Nacodah, a person of
courage and humanity, shewed them all the attention in his power, and having
armed his crew, he landed in search of Lieutenant Stroyan, whom he found just
expiring near the site of the camp, his body covered with frightful wounds—the
corpse was brought on board, from where it was consigned to the deep; and the
buggalow Large trading vessel. having waited in vain to collect the scattered followers, set sail for Aden
where the wounded officers arrived in a miserable condition.”
The following is abridged from an account of his journey published in the
Bombay Gazette of 13th March. *
“ I left Aden on the 29th Oct. 1854. and arriving at Zoyla after a two days’ sail,
found that the mules ordered three months before and paid fur, had not been
procured. The Governor, our old friend El ILij Sharmarkay, sent immediately to
Tnjurrah ; but betvve(?n the delay of catching the animals and a contrary wind
which delayed the vessel, I lost at Zeyla twenty-eight days. . At last, weary with
waiting, I determined to leave Zeyla on foot, when suddenly, on the last day,
appeared the vessel bringing the mules.
With four mules and five camels laden with cotton cloth, Surat tobacco, rice,
dates and a few handsome tobe or togas intended as presents to chiefs, and a few
other necessaries for the way, the H jee Abdullah, [Mr. Burton’s travelling name]
attended by the Governor and his sou and a detachment of Arab soldiers^ passed
through the southern gate ot Zeyla, and took the way of the wilderness.
In six days the little caravan led by one Raghi, the Elsa Abban, or protector,
crossed the plain between the mountains and the sea, travelling from 45 to 48 miles
among the Elsa,the most treacherous and bloodthirsty of the 1 Somali tribes. We
found them, like all their fellows, a timid race, fearful of danger, skilful at thrust
ing a spear into a sleeping man, terrible boasters and most importunate beggars,
they aie rich in flocks of goats and sheep, have large herds of camels and a few cows,
but no horses. _ On the 3rd December, we traversed broken ground, rough and
thorny at the foot of the hills, and on the 7 th, ascending by’ a pass even worse
than an Aden road, we stood ‘ above the Ghauts.’
We now entered the Gudabursi Somal, alarge tribe whose habitat is between
the Elsa eastward and the Girhi to the west. Theirs is the rolling ground, diver
sified with thorn-clad hill and fertile vale, above the first or seaward range of
mountains, and they have extended their lands by conquest towards llarar, being
now bounded m that direction by the llarar Prairie.
. • From t ! ie 7th tlie 2 3rd December, I traversed the Gudabursi country, travel
ing one day and halting five. We were now to enter the Girhi, a hostile tribe,
and on such occasions the African custom is, for your friends to detain you and
tor their enemies to bar your progress. • J
On the 23rd December I crossed the Marar Prairie. This is a glaring yellow
tiact of grassy land, about 25 miles wide, running north and south between the