CHAPTER XIX 



A SKIRMISH WITH CANNIBALS 



Let us return to the camp, where, after having received 

 a deputation of the natives, I was at liberty to attend to 

 my own affairs and rest after a heavy day's work. Juma 

 was soon busy preparing my food, Salem occupied himself 

 with the boys' food, and Monica was putting the tent 

 furniture straight. Kalakese and Karetese were sent 

 for wood and water ; both of them could have accom- 

 plished their errands in twenty minutes, but it was over 

 an hour before either returned, and I was not in the best 

 of humour at having to wait for wood and water with 

 which to cook my evening meal. 



Later in the evening I was writing up my diary when 

 I noticed unusual joy among the boys. Kalakese held 

 in his hand some pieces of native tobacco which he 

 distributed among the others. I paid little attention to 

 this at the time, but the events of the next day threw 

 some light on the cause of the unusual gaiety of my 

 boys that evening. 



Several times during the evening one or two of the 

 people from the huts came up to the camp holding 

 bunches of flaming grass above their heads as torches. 

 They had already supplied me with what food I required, 

 and I was at a loss to understand the reason for their 

 visit. Although tired and suffering from an attack of 

 fever, I determined not to sleep until they had returned 

 to their huts, and the disquieting noises had died away. 

 For hours babies did their best to disturb the peace. 



225 Q 



