310 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



concealed under his ragged coat. He proceeded to 

 regale himself with a long drink from this while the 

 others struggled off to the muddy waterhole. 



On asking him if he were not ashamed of his 

 despicable conduct, he replied with a grin " Hapana " 

 ("No"). 



As my unfortunate companion was in a most 

 pitiful state and greatly fatigued after all she had 

 come through, I decided to remain at this place 

 for a day, so that she might recover somewhat 

 before we resumed our journey. 



In any case this was necessary, as the march 

 through the Kaisoot had proved too much for the 

 donkeys. When darkness fell neither they nor the 

 Headman had turned up and I was very anxious 

 as to their fate out in the desert. 



Luckily the night was fine, for the men were so 

 worn-out and tired that I had no tents pitched, Mrs. 

 B. sleeping as on the previous night on a bed of rugs 

 under a rough shelter, while I kept guard close by. 



Now that she was left in such a forlorn con- 

 dition, I feared to let her out of my sight for 

 a moment, lest any catastrophe should overtake 

 her too, and I be left to wend my way back to 

 civilisation alone with such a terrible tale of mis- 

 fortune to unfold. 



With my mind full of these distressing thoughts, 

 I fell into a doze as I sat on a box within a pace or 



