MEN OF TPiE TREES 



This remarkable attitude towards what was so new 

 to me, convinced me that they knew far more about 

 quick inter-communication than I had given them 

 credit for, in spite of my knowledge and personal ex- 

 perience of many instances of their mysterious methods 

 of transmitting messages. Many people who have lived 

 in Africa have wonderful stories to tell of news that has 

 travelled hundreds of miles in an incredibly short space 

 of time. This was brought home to me very forcibly on 

 one occasion. When I was leaving Nairobi for England, 

 on the platform I suddenly decided to return overland 

 by way of the Nile instead of the ordinary sea route. To 

 my astonishment, all along the route I was met at the 

 stations by natives who had in some cases walked long 

 distances to reach the line of the railroad, to bring me 

 greetings and bid me farewell, showing that my change 

 of program had reached them much quicker than by 

 train. Taking into consideration the fact that the dis- 

 tance between Nairobi and the place of my last farewell 

 to the natives of my district, was greater than from 

 London to Edinburgh and my arrival unsignalled by tele- 

 gram or telephone, there can be but one explanation. 

 It was evident that messages had been sent, for they 

 knew my movements and were acquainted with my 

 news. As the train drew into the station, my friends 

 were waiting on the platform and walked along the 

 train until they came to my carriage, where they stood 

 until I presented myself at the door and exchanged 

 greetings with them. I had previously had many experi- 



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