On birds observed in the Goolis Mountains in Northern Somali-land / by E. Lort Phillips.

  • Phillips, E. Lort.
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On birds observed in the Goolis Mountains in Northern Somali-land / by E. Lort Phillips. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/40 (page 11)
    and we hastily converted the ground-sheet into a tent, using the chairs and table as a wall on the weather-side. We had barely completed our arrangements before the storm was upon us. In our anxiety to keep our things dry, the possi- bdity of lightning seems to have escaped ns, and it was only when we were cowering under our shelter that a loud burst of thunder over our heads reminded us of our rifles, upon which we were almost sitting. The situation was far from pleasant, for, apart from the fact of our having so much iron near us, the two tall trees under which we were sheltering were very likely conductors in themselves, being the only trees of their size for miles around. However, there was nothing to be done for it, as the only alternative was to stand outside and be drenched to the skin, and court an almost certain attack of fever. The storm raged overhead, and our trees, burdened as they were with their “ top hamper of creepers, seemed almost certain to crash down upon us. After about ten minutes5 suspense the storm gradually moved off in an easterly direction. But now a new anxiety presented itself. We were encamped, as I said, on a little low island in the broad river-bed, and hardly had the storm abated when we heard the rush of advancing waters, which were hidden by a bend a little way above us. Soon a thick turbid flood came surging round the corner, and spread out on both sides of us from bank to bank. We were still two feet above the water ; but masses of debris piled against the trees showed to what height previous floods had risen, and, as it was still raining in torrents among the hills, though it had ceased with us, we thought it wiser to put our things out of harm's way. So saddles, panniers, chairs, and rifles were lifted up into the loops of the creeper- stems above the highest flood-mark, we ourselves intending to follow when there was no longer any dry land left to stand on : however, we were spared this, and the water, having nearly deprived us of standing-room, began to abate. By 3 p.m. the river's bed was dry again, and we started on our way to Bihen, arriving there about 6.30. To our great relief, we found that the caravan had escaped the rain altogether. So very local are these tropical downpours that,