24 PREPARING FOR THE START part i 



like a recitation from a slang dictionary. For variety of epithet, 

 power of expletive, and range of religions whose deities were 

 invoked, I doubt whether his speech could have been strengthened 

 by a committee of Colorado cowboys. Benett-Stanford let his 

 corner of the camp know how the Royal Dragoons drill an 

 awkward squad. Seeing the admirable effect of this powerful 

 English, I tried a mild imitation of it on the group of men to 

 which I directed my attention. Feeble though my efforts were, 

 I fear my language on that occasion would have done more 

 credit to a connection with Billingsgate than with the British 

 Museum. The men were startled by our midnight arrival, and 

 seeing that we meant business they became very respectful and 

 promised implicit obedience. They swore that they had not in 

 any way interfered with the villagers, but as some of them were 

 wrapped in Suahili " mikeka " (sleeping -mats), and some were 

 using the native wooden head-rests or " misamilo," we had no 

 trouble in demonstrating the falseness of this statement. 



Benett-Stanford and I had a long chat over the position of 

 affairs, which was now rather serious. It was clear that if 

 Harris reached Ngatana, as arranged, on Christmas Eve and 

 found no food there, he would have trouble with his men. 

 Everybody had warned us that if the Zanzibari did not get 

 their rations they would desert. We knew he had left Melindi 

 on the 1 7th December, and that he was determined to push on 

 quickly. It was only six marches to Ngatana, so he could 

 easily arrive there by the date appointed. This was now the 

 morning of the 22nd ; Ngatana was four days distant, but by 

 hard marching it could be reached in three. So it was decided 

 that I should get together a few camels and hurry on at once, 

 and thus carry out the orders sent by our leader. Benett- 

 Stanford kindly set about the preparation of the stores ; while 

 I, having dispossessed one of the thieves of a stolen sleeping- 

 mat, snatched a couple of hours of welcome sleep. 



At four o'clock Gleave woke me for breakfast : seven camels 

 and twelve men under Sergeant Yussuf were ready. I was to 

 leave most of these men at Witu and replace them by the most 

 troublesome of the Somali there, as we were anxious that they 

 should inflict no further annoyance on our kind hosts. 



After a hurried meal we marched out of camp and stumbled 

 along the track in the dark. We reached the forest shortly 



