Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... OUR CAMP. CHAPTER XV. THE ADONE-- THE TRUE WARRIOR--FALSE ALARMS -- REAL ALARMS--A PROJECTED COUP D'ETAT--THE SULTAN'S RIVAL --OUR FAMOUS CANNON--MORE ALARMS--PLAN OF ATTACK --MIDNIGHT REVELRIES--CROSSING THE RIVER--A MILITARY PARADE--THE ENEMY'S ADVANCE AND RETREAT--SUBMISSION--PROSPECTIVE COMBINED ATTACK ON OUR CAMP--THE MORNING FLITTING. The camp we were now in was perfect in all respects; for if the Sultan's people would not provide us with provisions, the river would, in the form of coarse fish, while antelope of various kinds and birds were to be found on its banks. Crocodiles were numerous, and * the opposite bank was enlivened with paddy-birds (Ardea rosata), pigeons of various kinds, and the sacred ibis (Ibis religiosa). With pleasant shade, good water, and the prospects of sport, it only needed that we should be left alone to at last, enjoy the goal we bad been so long in reaching. The Adone live in permanent and neatly-made villages built of dhurra-stalk, and cultivate the ground extensively. Corn, similar to that grown in Egypt, is the staple food, and attains to a height of fifteen feet. A heavy camel-load costs from two to three tobes, eighteen to twenty-seven yards of cloth, the value of which at Berbera is about seven shillings. Like the Somal, the Adone have large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep; but all their animals are poor, and suffer from the tetse-fly in the rainy season, and from the ticks in the dry. Neither camels nor horses are much used, for they will not thrive during the rains; but the Rer Hammer, who leave the valley for the plateau in the hot season, bring numbers to graze there in the winter. All small articles are exchanged for beads, but sheep and cattle are paid for in cotton cloth, the former...
