XXIII THE TRAGEDY IN THE DESERT 297 



returned from the burial, which would, of course, 

 have to take place as soon as arrangements could 

 be made. 



When everything was ready, a mournful little 

 procession, consisting of myself, the Headman, and 

 some of the men in the safari, made its way out 

 into the wilderness, where the sad interment took 

 place. Over and round the grave we placed large 

 stones, so that it should not be disturbed. 



I then sent the men who had assisted me back 

 to camp, while I remained for a little while by the 

 graveside, thinking over the sad calamity which 

 had so suddenly overtaken us. 



I was much perplexed as to what I should 

 now do, and I debated for some little time with 

 myself as to whether I should return to Nairobi im- 

 mediately, or go on to Marsabit, where I hoped to 

 be able to complete the principal part of my work. 



Of course if the expedition had been a private 

 one, I would without any hesitation have returned 

 at once ; but I had to bear in mind that my journey 

 was an official one, on which public funds had been 

 expended, so that it was clearly incumbent upon 

 me to carry through my work if it was at all 

 possible. We were now within 35 miles of 

 Marsabit — a distance the Rendile and Samburu 

 always cover in one march — and I knew that from 

 the summit of one of the mountains there I should 



