any length of time he might consider it advisable for me to be away.
This proposition had its effect, as affording an extra opportunity of
obtaining the knowledge desired, and instructions were drawn up for my
guidance. I was to proceed to Bunder Gori, on the Warsingali frontier,
to penetrate the country southwards as far as possible, passing over
the maritime hill-range, and, turning thence westwards, was to inspect
the Wadi Nogal, and march direct on Berbera, to meet Stroyan and
Herne, at a date not later than the 15th January 1855. Whilst
travelling I was to remark upon the watershed of the country, plot the
route I travelled, keep _copious_ notes on everything I saw, and
collect specimens of natural history in all its branches, as well as
observe and register all meteorological phenomena, and buy camels and
ponies for the great future expedition.

Funds for the expenses of this undertaking were not available at that
time from the public purse, as the Indian Government had stipulated
that the whole sum they would advance for this great expedition should
not exceed L1000, and, for security's sake, had decided on paying it
by instalments of L250 at a time. I therefore, desirous to render as
much assistance as lay within my power to further the cause I had
embarked upon, volunteered to advance the necessary sum from my own
private resources, trusting to Lieutenant Burton's promises in the
future for being repaid.

This project settled, I at once set to work, and commenced laying in
such stores as were necessary for an outfit, whilst Lieutenant Burton,
who had been long resident in Aden, engaged two men to assist me on
the journey. The first was a man named Sumunter, who ranked highly in
his country, who was to be my _Abban_ or protector. The duty of
abbanship is of the greatest importance, for it rests entirely on the