A Sample of British Pluck.

Manawatu Herald, 6 July 1893, Page 3

A Sample of British Pluck.

■ " '. — ■+- — The following passage, in Commander Daodaa'fl account of how he ascended the Jub River into th»

heart of Somaliland in the Geographical Journal for March is. very interesting : — On reaching a town on the eve of the 16th of August, the steamer was attacked at night by large boats of natives. Fortunately thay were driven off by firing a sound signal, which burst in mid-air with a loud explosion, lighting up the whole river with a shower of red stars. The next morning, knowing that some move was imperitively necessary I landed suddenly amongst the Somalia, at Bardera, unarmed, with my interpreter. I pushed through the threatening crowd of natives to the sheik, expecting half a dozen cold spears through my back every moment, as they pressed round with spears raised. I think the sheik was too astonished for words. I said Aman (peace), and told my interpreter to say I meant to do him no harm, and wished to be friends. The chief at last asked me how I dared to come unarmed among them ; that I was completely in his power, and that he could easily make an end of me. I said he might do so if he liked ; that I knew I had done him no injury, and why should not be friends. Had the Company wished to take his country I would have come with a large force, instead of which I came entirely alone. Was it to be Aman or not ? After a few moments, apparently taken back at what seemed ray foolhardiness, he said there should be Aman, at least until he had consulted the chiefs. He bade me go on board and await the result. As you may guess I did wait with some anxiety, but at the end of five hours the sheik sent a present on board as a token that we were to be friends. He said he did not like white men, but he rather liked me personally.