292 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



much longed-for paradise in the wilds, Marsabit, 

 where I hoped that B. would soon be himself 

 again. 



I was somewhat anxious about both my com- 

 panions on this march, as B. was still feverish and 

 had to be carried in a hammock for part of the way, 

 while Mrs. B. was tired out by a couple of nights' 

 watchinof at his bedside. I therefore looked forward 

 with the greatest impatience to reaching the bracing 

 air of Marsabit, as I knew that it would do both an 

 immense amount of good. Many a time, when my 

 movements were hampered by my companions, did 

 I keenly regret that I had ever obtained permission 

 for them to accompany me ; but it is always easy 

 to be wise after the event, and now upon finding 

 myself in a difficult position, I adopted what I 

 considered to be the best and most humane course 

 of action, which was to push on to a cool climate 

 with all speed. 



We arrived at Lersamis soon after noon, and 

 found it to be a dismal spot, in the midst of a desola- 

 tion of thorny scrub and rocky barrenness, only 

 rendered possible as a temporary encampment, even 

 for the wandering Rendile, by a few brackish and 

 evil-smelling waterholes in the otherwise dry bed of 

 the river. 



I feared that I should have Mrs. B. again on the 

 sick-list if she did not get a good night's rest, so I 



