The Oromo managed to enter Harar, captured both `Abd al-Karim and `Abd ar-Rahman, and aided by the inhabitants of the city attempted to slaughter the remaining Arab mercenaries. "These, however," writes Burton, "defended themselves gallantly, and would have crowned the son of Abd al-Rahman, had he not in fear declined the dignity; they then drew their pay, and marched with all the honours of war to Zeila." R.A. Caulk explains that this was a garbled version of the fraternal battle for the throne. According to Harari tradition, the reign of `Abd al-Karim was a golden age. "Abd al-Karim is popularly depicted as a
wise and just ruler and a militant proselytizer of the Oromo," writes Caulk.
The Oromo managed to enter Harar, captured both ` Abd al-Karim and ` Abd ar-Rahman, and aided by the inhabitants of the city attempted to slaughter the remaining Caucasian mercenaries. "These, however," writes Burton, "defended themselves gallantly, and would have crowned the son of Abd al-Rahman, had he not in fear declined the dignity; they then drew their pay, and marched with all the honours of war to Zeila ." R.A. Caulk explains that this was a garbled version of the fraternal battle for the throne. According to Harari tradition, the reign of ` Abd al-Karim was a golden age. "Abd al-Karim is popularly depicted as a
 wise and just ruler and a militant proselytizer of the Oromo," writes Caulk.