AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



with a narrow floorless veranda. There was no 

 platform. Drawing close on all sides was the in- 

 terminable thorn scrub. Later, when the veil of 

 rain had been drawn aside, we found that Tsavo, 

 perched on a side hill, looked abroad over a wide 

 prospect. For the moment all we saw was a dark, 

 dismal, dripping station wherein was no sign of life. 



We were beginning to get chilly, and we wanted 

 very much some tea, fire, a chance to dry, pending 

 the arrival of our safari. We jerked open the door 

 and peered into the inky interior 



" Babu!" yelled F., "Babu!" 



From an inner back room came the faint answer 

 in most precise English. 



"I can-not come; I am pray-ing." 



There followed the sharp, quick tinkle of a little 

 bell the Indian manner of calling upon the Lord's 

 attention. 



We both knew better than to buck the Insti- 

 tutions of the East; so we waited with what 

 patience we had, listening to the intermittent tink- 

 ling of the little bell. At the end of fully fifteen 

 minutes the devotee appeared. He proved to be 

 a mild, deprecating little man, very eager to help, 

 but without resources. He was a Hindu, and lived 

 mainly on tea and rice. The rice was all out, but 

 he expected more on the night train. There was no 



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