156 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



me a couple of reliable guides for my journey, and 

 this he had been good enough to arrange, so I found 

 awaitinof me two men of the Samburu nation who 

 knew the whole country northward to Marsabit, 

 a place in the Reserve which I wished to reach. 

 This was the first time that I had ever seen any of 

 this tribe, and I must say that I was not favourably 

 impressed with the appearance of the two represent- 

 atives provided as my guides. 



When I got to know the Samburu people more 

 intimately, however, I found that they were on the 

 whole considerably better than I had expected, 

 while the two guides who had at first sight 

 impressed me unfavourably, proved themselves very 

 reliable and trustworthy fellows, who served me 

 most loyally throughout my journey. 



While I was waiting for the return of my Headman 

 from Baringo I made various excursions in the 

 neighbourhood of Rumuruti to see what game was 

 to be found in these parts, while my companions did 

 some shooting on their own account: I saw numer- 

 ous herds of zebra, impala, Thomson's and Grant's 

 gazelle within a radius of ten miles from the Boma, 

 as the natives call Rumuruti. I also noticed near 

 this place a few rhino, some oryx and duiker. 

 Along the marshy edges of the Pes Swamp hippo 

 may be found at all times, while elephants and 

 buffalo sometimes visit it. A few days before we 



