BRITISH EAST AFRICA 263 



a moaning roar ; a hysena yelps dolefully from the 

 bushes. Beyond the river twinkles and winks the 

 Southern Cross, here and on such a night its usually 

 over-estimated beauty a thing to wonder at. Above 

 all is the great purple vault of heaven studded with 

 stars. Behind the low distant range of hills rises the 

 yellow disc of the moon. It is all very quiet, peaceful, 

 and immense, the only discordant note this infinitesi- 

 mal throb of human life stirring in the great heart of 

 Africa. Out somewhere in the darkness the Red Gods 

 are watching and calling, always calling from behind 

 the ranges. I can hear their Voices now. Shall I 

 ever, I wonder, meet them at the trysting - place 

 again ? 



