8 IN THE GRIP OF l^HE NYIKA chap. 



On another occasion the presence of the Man-Eaters 

 added considerably to the horrors of a collision which 

 took place three or four miles beyond the Tsavo 

 Bridge. By some mischance the driver of a train 

 laden with rails and sleepers was one night given 

 " line clear" by the Indian station-master at Tsavo, 

 who in the press of overwork forgot that he had 

 already telegraphed the same message to the driver 

 of another train at Railhead. 



Feeling of course thoroughly secure, the up driver 

 put on full steam and gathered what speed he could 

 on the steep grade from the Tsavo River, never for 

 a moment dreaming that the train from Railhead was 

 rushing swiftly towards him on that tortuous single 

 track. Of course a collision was inevitable, and the 

 usual ill-luck attended it, as the trains met round a 

 sharp curve where it was impossible to see the head- 

 lights until too late, owing to the dense jungle which 

 shut in the line. 



Several of the trucks were hurled from the rails, 

 and some unfortunate Indian coolies and African 

 natives who had taken advantage of the darkness to 

 travel in them — a thing they were not supposed to 

 do — paid for their surreptitious ride with their lives. 

 Others, less fortunate, were jammed between the 

 wreckage, and had to remain there until relief was 

 sent from Tsavo. 



While they were in this terrible predicament they 



