Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



their daily food, which amounts to about a sixth 

 of a penny a day — I sent them on ahead with my 

 boys under my orderly. The next day I did my 

 office work very early, and jumping on my bicycle 

 set out for the lake. With the exception of a very 

 bad river just outside of Hoima, over which I had 

 to cross, the road was excellent, and I progressed 

 pretty rapidly. There are few things so exhilarating 

 as coasting along on a good path in Uganda before 

 breakfast, whilst the sun's rays are yet cool. 



The only drawback is that you have not time 

 to enjoy the superb scenery all around you. About 

 half-way to the lake I met with a very steep hill, 

 but a whole party of young girls, who were working 

 in a "shamba," on seeing me flypast, immediately 

 gave chase. I selected the most fascinating of my 

 friends, and allowed her to wheel my cycle up the 

 stiff gradient. They certainly were delighted at 

 finding so unexpected an excuse for leaving their 

 work, and they followed me, radiant with good 

 humour, laughing and showing their lovely teeth in 

 a most attractive manner. 



The young girl whose assistance I had enlisted 

 was particularly winsome, and the first really good- 

 looking damsel I had seen amono;" the natives. She 

 had a bad wound on her leg, which I pointed to, 

 but I could not understand what she said in reply. 

 All the other girls followed us, roaring with laughter, 

 especially when the maiden "barked" her legs on 

 the pedal, or wheeled the cycle into the bushes by 

 the side of the road. 



