CHAP. XI THE MASAI AGAIN 205 



country one of the richest and most fertile in British East 

 Africa. 



At Machakos we were back again on a known road, and 

 my work was done. I resolved, however, on as much variety 

 as possible, and so left the ordinary track and marched south- 

 ward across the Kapte plains. We entered the Iveti Moun- 

 tains near the village of Wa-kilome, the residence of the chief 

 of the district of Maka. The chief was a fine old warrior 

 named Kiketi — the Suahili name of a variety of large blue 

 beads. On our way across the Kapte plains we encoun- 

 tered a small raiding party of Masai. As we were in 

 dense bush we met suddenly, and neither party could tell the 

 strength of the other. The one thing Zanzibari apparently 

 cannot do under such circumstances is to stand still. They 

 like to run, and do not seem to care much which way they go. 

 So we charged through the bush and the Masai fled. The 

 party was a very small one, and was apparently trying to 

 sneak into the district of luni to steal sheep. So our blood- 

 less victory was nothing to be proud of. However, we could 

 not be sure that the Masai were not the scouts of a larger 

 party, and as Omari and several men were behind with our 

 sheep, we spent an anxious half- hour till their safety was 

 assured. 



Two days later we reached the Uganda road again at 

 Nzaoi, and along this we rushed back to Tzavo. The rain- 

 less season had now commenced ; the swamps through which 

 we had waded on the way up were now dry ; water-holes were 

 empty ; and we had to march for hours over the hot smoking 

 embers of prairie fires, or rush occasionally through belts of 

 flame. 



We were now well on the home trail, and the men needed 

 no encouragement to quicken their pace. We usually marched 

 from midnight or three in the morning till eight, and then from 

 two till five. The stage from Nzaoi to Tzavo occupied only 

 six days, instead of the usual ten. 



At Kibwezi I received a warm welcome from Dr. Charters 

 and his colleagues, and a budget of bad news. Mr. Astor 

 Chanler had failed to reach Basso Narok, and was in difficulties. 

 A relief caravan had been sent for, and though we did not 

 then know it, his accomplished companion Lieut, von Hohnel 



