OUR SECOND SAFARI 



other side of the mountain, we had only reserved 

 one leg for ourselves, so it did its duty well. 



When we reached the bottom of the mountain 

 we struck across to our old hunting ground. We 

 were very wet, having had to go through water ; and 

 after waiting some time and getting colder and 

 colder, it began to rain just as the porters turned up. 

 A new lad appeared, to tell us that Baruku had 

 commandeered two of his boys, whom he was taking 

 to an Englishman at Nyeri, as we were still short of 

 porters ; so he waited with us for the rest to turn up, 

 then we found his boys had given Baruku the slip, 

 and made off. Poor Baruku ! he had a lot of trouble 

 in getting our belongings along ; two of the three 

 lads he had kept roped, said if he let them off the 

 rope they would not run away, but would carry the 

 loads. However, on being released they promptly 

 and basely put down their burdens and ran. Then 

 Baruku and our head porter got hold of these other 

 two who said they were returning to their homes. 

 However, after taking the loads to the bottom of the 

 hill they too made off, and then Baruku managed to 

 get hold of three others passing along that way. This 

 time they were rich young men, with well-oiled 

 poodle-like heads, and great skins edged with white 

 beads on their shoulders, and wire ornaments ; their 

 , glossy backs shining like an advertisement for f urni- 

 iture polish. They willingly said they would carry 

 ( our loads for a lot of money ; but I saw later that 



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