Nearing Masindi 



head downwards, to their loads. The position of 

 these poor creatures in the tropical sun was thus far 

 from pleasant, and I insisted on rectifying it. 



My small "toto" boy forgot to-day to put the 

 spine-pad on my shirt, and I got a violent headache 

 in consequence. I had selected this child because 

 he was so good-looking, which was refreshing after 

 beholding some of his confreres, but he was 

 inordinately lazy, and about all he did was to carry 

 my tennis racquet; a veiled compliment to its being 

 well balanced, for if it had not been he would 

 certainly have dropped it like a hot brick if it had 

 exhibited the slightest disposition to weight. 



I had quite a surprise to-day. On looking into 

 the glass I discovered I had grown quite a fine 

 beard and whiskers. What a pity I could not 

 consult Mr. Frank Richardson, the only really 

 reliable authority on facial hirsutic growth, as to the 

 best means of clipping it. 



My black boy managed very skilfully to lose the 

 rubber valve attached to my pump. A trifling 

 matter at home, but out here one of life and death, 

 principally the latter. I sent him back to look for 

 it, while I hummed and haVed on an ant-heap, 

 laying the odds as to which would be the next 

 important article he would condescend to play ducks 

 and drakes with. It then occurred to me to loosen 

 the valve at its base, which would enable me to use 

 my hand pump without the india-rubber. Great 

 success followed this brain-wave of mine, and one 

 more obstacle surmounted, I managed to make 



63 



