14 THE LAND OF THE TION 
then laid out in a long line on the ground. At the head- 
man’s bidding all the porters line up behind them, and 
each has his own special burden assigned (which he carries 
unless other arrangements are made, till the end of the 
trip). He is then allowed to take his load aside, and 
fasten to it his own little belongings, sleeping mat, clothes, 
potio, etc., etc. 
Our sefari numbered one hundred and ten men. There 
were six different tribes of Africans represented on it, 
and instead of one headman to twenty porters, there was 
just one — David Rebman. Though all our things were 
dumped on the platform, and there lay in an immense 
heap, each package had been previously weighed and 
tied up, so there was no confusion and no inequality — 
certainly no weeping porters. (It is well to take the 
time, and see the loads weighed yourself, before the sefari 
starts from Nairobi.) ‘There was far more food to be car- 
ried to Sergoit, than there were men to carry it. I had, 
therefore, arranged for the main supply of potio to be 
hauled in two wagons with ox teams from Londiani to the 
next government boma at Eldama Ravine, where donkeys 
were waiting for us. Four different kinds of food had 
to be provided for the men. Somalis bargain for an allow- 
ance of Halwa (rice). ‘This is the most expensive portion. 
Headmen, tentboys, syces, and gun bearers take Monza 
rice (7. e., rice from the German lands round the lake). 
The porters try to get Monza if you can be persuaded to 
give it, but they do just as well on well ground mealee 
meal, which is usually half the price. The Kikuyus want 
beans, and crushed mealies must be taken along for ponies 
and mules. Of all these various grains we had more than 
three tons to carry. 
I give these details of food needed for a sefari, just 
to convey some idea of how much planning and forethought 
is necessary if a sportsman elects to cut loose from the 
