^ Hostile Forces. 



was encamped at the Meru Hills, some days' journey 

 from Kilimanjaro, in the midst of banana-groves — an un- 

 questionably poor strategic position, but chosen for want 

 of a better. 



I cannot say that the natives had shown a particu- 

 larly friendly disposition. The men especially, when they 

 came, armed with spears, into camp during the daytime,. 



THE RUINS OF THE MASINDE FORT, A VERY UNHEALTHY STATION, 

 NOW ABANDONED 



showed themselves shy and hostile ; when I spoke to- 

 them, they turned away and disappeared among the 

 bananas, while the women bartered their field-produce,, 

 as the custom Is, among: the carriers. 



In the absence of the leader of the expedition, I 

 found myself alone in the camp with my dear friend 

 Alfred Kaiser — a man who has spent many years ot 

 his life amongst the Bedouin Arabs, and at Sinai — 



679 



