RIDING THE PLAINS. 191 



back, releasing their prize. We picked up his 

 scattered bows and arrows, restored them to 

 him, and uttered many reassurances. He was 

 so badly frightened that he could not stand for 

 the trembling of his knees. Undoubtedly he 

 thought that war had broken out, and that he 

 was the first of its unconscious victims. After 

 calming him down, we told him what we were 

 doing, and offered to shoot him meat if he cared 

 to accompany us. He accepted the offer with joy. 

 So pleased and relieved was he, that he skipped 

 about like a young and nimble goat. His hunt- 

 ing companion, who all this time had stood atop 

 of a hill at a safe distance, viewed these perform- 

 ances with concern. Our captive shouted loudly 

 for him to come join us and share in the good 

 fortune. Not he ! He knew a trap when he saw 

 one 1 Not a bit disturbed by the tales this man 

 would probably carry back home, our old fellow 

 attached himself to us for three days ! 



Near sundown, to make our promise good, 

 and also to give our own men a feast, I shot two 

 hartebeeste near camp. 



The evening was beautiful. The Machakos 

 Range, miles distant across the valley, was 

 mantled with thick, soft clouds. From our ele- 

 vation we could see over them, and catch the 



