CHAPTER II 



Start ^for the interior — Too much kit — First head of game — Headman 

 sent back for more camels — A night alarm — Native wells — Early 

 marching — We are weighed — Higher ground and a pretty camp 

 — A trying march kills camels — Camel-post station — Lesser Kudu 

 ground — Beira antelope — A run of bad luck — Travellers from Jibuti. 



On Sunday morning, 12th November, all our people 

 were drawn up before Lieutenant Harold. After the roll 

 had been called and the covenanted pay, together with 

 all the advances, officially confirmed, the Vice-Consul 

 lectured the caravan men on their duty to us, and 

 warned them of the probable result of not serving us 

 faithfully. First and foremost came Mahomed, the 

 headman, to whom the success of Captain Wellby's 

 journey from Adis Ababa round Lake Rudolf to Fashoda 

 was greatly due. Then followed in quick succession 

 Jama, the second headman, four personal servants 

 called " boys," two cooks, four first shikaris, four 

 second shikaris, four syces, four skinners, three 

 donkey-boys, and forty-five camel-men, making a total 

 of seventy-two men. When this parade was over, all 

 were set to work to get the loads tied up, while we com- 

 pleted our personal packing and finished our letters home. 



