98 ACROSS LANDS OF KIKUYU AND MASAI part ii 



baris refused to traverse it. I cut steps across it and reached 

 the dense bush that covered the summit. For a moment I 

 doubted whether after all I should be able to force a way through 

 the bush, for the foothold was precarious, and a slip would 

 have been easy and disastrous. To return, however, when so 

 near the summit was not to be thought of, so I hewed a way 

 through the scrub with a sword bayonet. After sketching the 

 surrounding country from the summit I returned to the men, 

 and we boiled the thermometers, thus obtaining data which 

 indicate for the highest pinnacle a height of 9350 feet. We 

 then raced back to camp. Civilisation proved its superiority 

 to nature, for thanks to boots and an alpenstock I arrived there 

 at 2.15, an hour before the men. 



Camp was struck at once, so that we might reach the 

 shore of Naivasha that evening. We started at three o'clock, as 

 soon as the two men who had been with me on Longonot came 

 in sight. Our route lay over rich turf, on which roamed many 

 antelope and enormous herds of cattle guarded by Masai. I 

 had been told that the terrible havoc wrought by cattle disease 

 had annihilated the vast herds once possessed by this tribe ; I 

 was therefore surprised to see so many. I was also rather sorry, 

 for the abundance of cattle showed that there would be a 

 large force of Masai near the lake. But my men assured me 

 that they would be quite friendly, and not interfere with my 

 plans. I was very anxious to examine the structure of the 

 Mau scarp to the west of Naivasha, in order to discover if 

 its structure corresponded with that of the eastern wall of the 

 Rift Valley ; and also to make a collection to illustrate the 

 flora and fauna of the lake. I had brought with me presents 

 for the Masai chiefs ; for I intended to make friends with them, 

 to leave most of the porters on the lake shore, while with fifteen 

 others I made a branch excursion to the west. 



Great, therefore, was my disappointment when, on our 

 arrival at the camping - ground, a band of insolent young 

 warriors came crowding round us and forbade my men erecting 

 the tents. We had unwisely divided into two parties ; Omari, 

 the Askari, and eight porters were with the donkeys, while I 

 had hastened on with the other men to get the camp into order 

 before dark ; so for a while I was bound to temporise. The 

 attitude of the El-Moran was insolent in the extreme ; they 



