-^ The Spell of the lilelescho 



They arc so close to iiic that I can plainly sec in' lh(; shape 

 of their bodies that they are L;"oiiiL;- home after haxiiig hatl 

 an abundant repast. 



The behaviour of my people puzzles me. I had no 

 opportunity for questioning- them as to why they were not 

 more impressed by this unexpected spectacle, for my 

 attentitni was suddenly arrested by the appearance of a 

 Icnethv caravan of bearers, that seemed as if it had 

 emerged bet ore my eyes from the trami)led ground. 

 There is new lite and movement among the herds of 

 wild animals. Slowly, defiantly, or in swift-footed fear, 

 each according to its kind, all these wonderful creatures 

 seek safety trom the approaching crowd. 



A robust negro marches at the head of the caravan. 

 He carries a white tlag inscribed all over with texts iVom 

 the Koran. Hundreds of bearers come steadily in. Each 

 carries a load of nearly ninety pounds' weight, besides his 

 cooking gear, sleeping-mat, gun and powder-horn. At 

 reofular intervals orave-lookino-, bearded Arabs march 

 amono; the bearers. Two statelv fi^'ures, ridiuQ- upon asses 

 and surrounded by an armed escort, are evidently the 

 chiefs, and a great drove of asses with pack-saddles laden 

 with elephant tusks brings up the rear. \"ery quickly the 

 numerous party establish their camp, and I now remark 

 that hundreds of the bearers are also laden with ivory. It 

 is clearly a caravan of Arab ivory-traders. 



After the usual greetings — " Sabal kher " (" God bless 



thee"), and '' Salaam aleikum," questions are asked in th(; 



Swahili language : " Habari ghani ?"" ("What news.^") I 



now learn that the party of travellers set out some two years 



VOL. I 65 . 5 



