268 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



right-of-way, along which we proceeded half a 

 mile to the station. 



This consisted of two or three native huts, a 

 house for the East Indian in charge, and the 

 station building itself. The latter was a small 

 frame structure with a narrow floorless veranda. 

 There was no platform. Drawing close on all 

 sides was the interminable thorn scrub. Later, 

 when the veil of rain had been drawn aside, we 

 found that Tsavo, perched on a hillside, looked 

 abroad over a wide prospect. For the moment 

 all we saw was a dark, dismal, dripping station 

 wherein was no sign of life. 



We were beginning to get chilly, and we 

 wanted very much some tea, fire, a chance to 

 dry, pending the arrival of oui safari. We 

 jerked open the door and peered into the inky 

 interior. 



" Babu ! " yelled F., " Babu ! " 



From an inner back room came the faint 

 answer in most precise English, 



" I can-not come ; I am pray-ing." 



There followed the sharp, quick tinkle of a 

 little bell the Indian manner of calling upon 

 the Lord's attention. 



We both knew better than to hustle the in- 

 stitutions of the East ; so we waited with what 



