The Somali in his own country is conservative. He has little time for men not of his own race, excepting perhaps the Arab Mullahs, a few of whom wander amongst his people teaching the great "Mahomedan truths." He is never internally at rest. His tribe is divided into sections, sub-sections and clans, and the clans are for ever disagreeing amongst themselves. The sub-sections then interfere, and it may so happen that quarrels extend to the sections. If these are not settled the result may be much bloodshed. But it is always here that the British administration steps in, and to it nowadays the Somali turns to settle his domestic affairs when they get beyond his control. In 1920 I was privileged to take part in the successful operations carried out against that great adventurer, Hassan Abdullah, the Mad Mullah, and with him these pages end. They portray only the human side of life on a wild African outpost, and describe the men and incidents recorded exactly as I have seen them, and as they have occurred. For fuller information I refer the reader to the official reports and the works of more conventional writers. H. R. CONTENTS CHAPTER I ZEILA PAGE Early history--Slave trade--Gen. Gordon--Somali tribes 13 CHAPTER II "ALL IN THE DAY'S WORK" The staff--Office work--The "Poor Fund" and its distribution--A tale of woe--The D.C. on inspection rounds--Petitions 23 CHAPTER III PERSONAGES Mahomed the Interpreter--Mahomed as magistrate--Mahomed as author--Mahomed's reason for Ramathan--Mahomed as fighting man--Buralli Robleh, policeman and gentleman--Buralli's domestic affairs--Mohamed Auwit, petition writer 32 CHAPTER IV COURT WORK The Court opens--Sultan Mahomed Haji Dideh--Petitions--A case of "being found out"--Gambling--Mr Gandhi 41 CHAPTER V THE TWO WIVES Indelicate expressions--The narrative of No. 1-- Interruptions--The narrative of No. 2--Buralli speaks the epilogue 49 CHAPTER VI CONCERNING SOMALS Tribal location--European Protectorates--Characteristics--The old Akil--A tale of treachery 57 CHAPTER VII MAHOMED FARA As body servant--Safari troubles--Mahomed of the lion's heart--Mahomed to the rescue--The duel--Mahomed on field service--The parting 65 CHAPTER VIII COMMERCE Trade sources and commodities--A typical manifest--The old Jew goldsmith 78 CHAPTER IX SOMETHING ABOUT DHOWS Timber--Navigation--The dhow and the slave trade--Dhow captains 86 CHAPTER X SOMETHING ABOUT THE SLAVE TRADE