[38] The prefix appears to be a kind of title appropriated by saints and divines. [39] These charms are washed off and drunk by the people: an economical proceeding where paper is scarce. [40] "Birsan" in Somali, meaning to increase. [41] The Ayyal Yunis, the principal clan, contains four septs viz.:-- 1. Jibril Yunis. 3. Ali Yunis. 2. Nur Yunis. 4. Adan Yunis. The other chief clans are-- 1. Mikahil Dera. 7. Basannah. 2. Rer Ugaz. 8. Bahabr Hasan. 3. Jibrain. 9. Abdillah Mikahil. 4. Rer Mohammed Asa. 10. Hasan Mikahil. 5. Musa Fin. 11. Eyah Mikahil 6. Rer Abokr. 12. Hasan Waraba. [42] The best prayer-skins are made at Ogadayn; there they cost about half-a-dollar each. CHAP. VII. FROM THE MARAR PRAIRIE TO HARAR. Early on the 23rd December assembled the Caravan, which we were destined to escort across the Marar Prairie. Upon this neutral ground the Eesa, Berteri, and Habr Awal meet to rob and plunder unhappy travellers. The Somal shuddered at the sight of a wayfarer, who rushed into our encampment _in cuerpo_, having barely run away with his life. Not that our caravan carried much to lose,--a few hides and pots of clarified butter, to be exchanged for the Holcus grain of the Girhi cultivators,--still the smallest contributions are thankfully received by these plunderers. Our material consisted of four or five half-starved camels, about fifty donkeys with ears cropped as a mark, and their eternal accompaniments in Somali land, old women. The latter seemed to be selected for age, hideousness, and strength: all day they bore their babes smothered in hides upon their backs, and they carried heavy burdens apparently without fatigue. Amongst them was a Bedouin widow, known by her "Wer," a strip of the inner bark of a tree tied round the greasy fillet. [1] We were accompanied by three Widads, provided with all the instruments of their craft, and uncommonly tiresome companions. They recited Koran _a tort et a travers_: at every moment they proposed Fatihahs, the name of Allah was perpetually upon their lips, and they discussed questions of divinity, like Gil Blas and his friends, with a violence bordering upon frenzy. One of them was celebrated for his skill in the "Fal," or Omens: he was constantly consulted by my companions, and informed them that we had nought to fear except from wild beasts. The prediction was a good hit: I must own, however, that it was not communicated to me before fulfilment.