"This old man was Ugaz Nur. King or Sultan of the Gadabrusi. He had several other names, which I do not remember now. When the King dismounted and came through the entrance, our ” soldiers” (as they were pleased to call themselves), taking the word of command from the headman, fired an extremely irregular feu de joie over the old man’s head, much to the consternation of the usually impassive natives, as well as somewhat to our own surprise.
As our men used ball ammunition it is a wonder there were not a few casualties in the crowd. The dignified old man, however, did not wink an eye, but came forward smilingly to greet us. Ugaz Nur was a man about seventy-five years old. Although somewhat stiffened by age, he was tall, straight, and well built. Even the weight of his many years could not alter the chief’s graceful figure. The aquiline features distinctly showed Arab descent, and the negroid characteristics so frequent among these people were, save his very dark skin, noticeably absent. His face indicated intelligence and a pleasant, affable nature ; but at the same time one felt conscious of underlying subtlety and cunning— almost invariable attributes of uncivilized races... In his hand, he carried a simple staff instead of the regulation shield and spear. His fighting days were over, and he now relied upon his stalwart sons to protect him on his journeys. As he shook hands with us he smiled pleasantly. His manner was composed and dignified, evidently inherited from his ancestors, who were rulers in the country for many generations." Major R.G Edwards
Ugaz Nur with his soldiers
