Author : Captain H. G. C. SWAYNE, R.E
captain Swayne, who has been on a sporting expedition in Somaliland, writes from Aden:—I started from Bulhar on February 16th, 3,nd went to Jig-Jiga, where I found an Abyssinian guard of twenty -men posted in their stockaded fort over the wells. I had twenty-five Somalis, all told. Next day, an Abyssinian chief called Banaguse Ei Taurari marched into the stockade from Gqjai, about 20 miles to the west, accompanied by about three hundred and fifty horse and foot, to resist the supposed invader, the Somalis having exaggerated my trip into a British invasion. Nearly all the Abyssinians carried good Keniingtons. Banaguse seemed inclined at first to arrest me, but on hearing I had come up in order to visit Kas Makuwan, the Harar governor, he was afraid to do so. I sent a letter to Makuwan, and after I had waited at Jig-Jiga a few days, one Gakatagli came with a very polite note from the Eas, asking me to come to Harar.
On nearing Harar I found I had to pass through two lines of soldiers, to the number of about a thousand, brought out to escort me, by order of the Kas, who is very hospitably inclined to the English. Each company presented arms as I passed along the path between the lines. I remained at Harar five days, a guest at the house of Alaka Gobau Desta; and before leaving I gave the Kas an Indian tiger-skin and an album of Indian photographs; receiving in return his photograph, a silver-mounted shield, spears, saddlery, and a good mule, also <a passport ordering any soldiers whom I might encounter in Ogaden to treat me courteously. I also received much kindness from Count Salimbeni and the Europeans at Harar.