254 AFRICAN GAME TRAILS 



then we turned in under our blankets for another night's 

 sleep. 



Next morning some of the 'Ndorobo went off on the trail 

 of Cuninghame's elephant to see if it had fallen, but found 

 that it had travelled steadily, though its wounds were 

 probably mortal. There was no object in my staying, for 

 Heller and Cuninghame would be busy for the next ten 

 days, and would ultimately have to use all the porters in 

 taking off and curing the skin, and transporting it to Neri; 

 so I made up my mind to go down to the plains for a hunt 

 by myself. Taking one porter to carry my bedding, and 

 with my gun-bearers, and a Dorobo as guide, I struck off 

 through the forest for the main camp, reaching it early in 

 the afternoon. Thence I bundled off a safari to Cuning- 

 hame and Heller, with food for a week, and tents and 

 clothing; and then enjoyed the luxury of a shave and a warm 

 bath. Next day was spent in writing and making prepara- 

 tions for my own trip. A Kikuyu chief, clad in a cloak of 

 hyrax skins, and carrying his war spear, came to congratu- 

 late me on killing the elephant and to present me with a 

 sheep. Early the following morning everything was in 

 readiness; the bull-necked porters lifted their loads, I 

 stepped out in front, followed by my led horse, and in ten 

 hours' march we reached Neri boma, with its neat buildings, 

 its trees, and its well-kept flower beds. 



My hunting and travelling during the following fort- 

 night will be told in the next chapter. On the evening 

 of September 6th we were all together again at Meru 

 boma, on the north-eastern slopes of Kenia Kermit, Tarl- 

 ton, Cuninghame, Heller, and I. Thanks to the unfailing 

 kindness of the Commissioner, Mr. Home, we were given 



