IX 

 A TROPICAL JUNGLE 



MANY months later, and after adventures else- 

 where described,* besides others not relevant 

 for the moment, F., an Englishman, and I returned 

 to Mombasa. We came from some hundred odd 

 miles in the interior where we had been exploring 

 for the sources and the course of the Tsavo River. 

 Now our purpose was to penetrate into the low, hot 

 wooded country along the coast known as the Shimba 

 Hills in quest of a rare beast called the sable antelope. 

 These hills could be approached in one of two 

 ways by crossing the harbour, and then marching 

 two days afoot; or by voyaging up to the very end 

 of one of the long arms of the sea that extend many 

 miles inland. The latter involved dhows; depen- 

 dence on uncertain winds; favourable tides and a 

 heap of good luck. It was less laborious but most 

 uncertain. At this stage of the plan the hotel 

 manager came forward with the offer of a gasoline 

 launch, which we gladly accepted. 



* "Land of Footprints" 



77 



