HUNTING AND HUNTED IN BELGIAN CONGO 



over-tax my weakened powers of endurance. I reached 

 Kampala safely, and Mr. Byass, the acting manager of 

 the British Trading Company, in the absence of Mr. 

 Moses, who was on home leave, was most kind and 

 hospitable. 



The Clement Hill had left Kampala Port that morning, 

 so I decided to go to Jinja and catch her there, instead 

 of waiting another week in Kampala for her to return. 

 I learnt here that some small disturbance had taken place 

 in the Nandi country, and a detachment of the King's 

 African Rifles was being held in readiness. I had given 

 notice to Messrs. Bertie Smith's agent at eight o'clock 

 in the morning that I wished to reach Jinja that evening. 

 The distance between Kampala and Jinja is about sixty 

 miles. I did not start until ten a.m., and spent the 

 intervening time in settling up and paying off my boys. 



I was genuinely sorry to part with them. We had 

 been through a great many trials and tribulations 

 together. Salem grasped my hand and almost sobbed 

 the words, " Kwa heri, Bwana " (good-bye, master). 

 The three of them stood round me as I boarded the 

 ricksha, and there was a mighty handshaking all round. 

 Away I sped in the ricksha to the chanty of the boys 

 that were to take me for the first twelve miles. As we 

 turned the corner at the foot of the street, I glanced back 

 at my three boys, who were still waving farewells and 

 shouting good-byes. Another few seconds and they, 

 who formed my last link with the Congo, had vanished. 



250 



