220 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



" Certainly not," we cried with equal fervour. 

 We both like dogs. 



Then followed wearisomely reiterated assurances 

 that we, at least, knew how a gentleman should 

 be treated, and more boasting of proud con- 

 nections in the past. But the end of it was a 

 bargain of reasonable dimensions for ourselves, 

 our personal boys, and our loads. Under plea 

 of starting our safari boys off we left him, and 

 crept, with shattered nerves, around the corner 

 of the dak-bungalow. There we lurked, busy at 

 pretended affairs, until our friend swaggered away 

 to the Hindu quarters, where, it seems, he had 

 his residence. 



About ten o'clock a small safari marched in 

 afoot. It had travelled all of two nights across 

 the Thirst, and was glad to get there. The single 

 white man in charge had been three years alone 

 among the natives near Kilimanjaro, and he was 

 now out for a six months' vacation at home. 

 Two natives in the uniform of Sudanese troops 

 hovered near him very sorrowful. He splashed 

 into the water of the dak-bungalow, and then 

 introduced himself. We sat in teakwood easy- 

 chairs and talked all day. He was a most in- 

 teresting, likeable, and cordial man, at any stage 

 of the game. The game, by means of French 



