CHAPTER XI 



THE RETURN MARCH 



" Kurudi nyuma si kazi " 

 (Returning is not work). 



Zanzibari Prove^-b. 



After the decision to abandon the projected visit to Settima 

 we all felt that we were well on the " home trail," and were not 

 in the mood to brook delay ; so, when we reached the borders 

 of the Kikuyu country, our request to enter it was somewhat 

 peremptory. We camped at a place called Karati, beside a 

 swamp, about a couple of miles from our former camp. Our 

 " blood-brothers " soon arrived with presents of food for me. 

 They camic at once to show me that their ulcers had entirely 

 healed, and to express their gratitude. They promised food 

 for next day. Enough came in to enable us to march south- 

 ward on the morrow ; but a fresh outbreak of illness delayed us. 

 The return to the damp cold mists of the forests of Kikuyu 

 brought back the old lung troubles. For a couple of days the 

 lives of two of the porters hung in the balance, and the time 

 was wasted to me, as constant attendance on the men pre- 

 vented collecting. Fortunately they recovered, but the next 

 few marches had to be taken easily. 



As soon as we were ready to resume our journey we 

 arranged for permission to cross the country of our friends. 

 They insisted on certain religious rites being performed. They 

 said that if we entered their shambas without blessing our way 

 with blood, their crops would yield only empty grain ; but if 

 we went as friends, after the proper ceremonials, then we should 

 be a blessing and not a curse, for the sun would shine upon 

 their shambas, and these would yield abundant harvests. I 



