Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



built by natives, which consisted of bundles of reeds 

 bound together by strips torn off the stems of 

 banana trees. These rafts were propelled by poles 

 and went at the rate of ten yards per minute. This 

 aptly suited the wants of the native passengers, who 

 appear to have been born with an inherent distaste 

 for hurry of any description whatever. 



Once across, I pushed on with all speed. The 

 country was fairly thick and hilly, although the 

 actual road was flat enough. I made camp near a 

 village called Kuhemba, and was greatly disappointed 

 to learn there were no elephants in the vicinity, as I 

 had always been led to understand the contrary. 



About three hours after I had arrived in came 

 my "safari" of thirty-five porters, very scattered. I 

 detected something was wrong. They hurled their 

 loads down and came to me in a body in a fearful 

 hubbub. 



My headman explained that they were disgusted 

 with the long marches, and declined to go on unless 

 I set them easier stages. One had run away 

 already, three others refused to move any further on 

 any account. 



I then calculated on my map — an exceedingly 

 inaccurate one, by the way, though the best procur- 

 able — and found we had only done thirty miles, 

 measured as the crow flies, in two days ; probably 

 thirty-three by the actual road we had taken. 



Notwithstanding, my headman assured me if I 

 carried out any chastisement I would be deserted by 

 them all, and as I could not risk any delay, owing 



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