-* By the Njiri Lakes 



and, not knowing ho\v many others there might be to 

 deal with, I also took to Bight. 



As may be imagined, flight was no easy thing, either 

 for my men or for myself, waist-deep in water. When we 

 got to a shallower part I tried to rally my men, but failed 

 completely, so great was their alarm. On the bank, 

 however, I took counsel with some of my Masai, and 





\VE MARCHED FOR HOUR AFTER HOUR THROUGH THE INUNDATED SWAMPS 



presently came to the conclusion that it was not crocodiles 

 that had frightened us, but huge snakes. Again I 

 approached the spot where we had encountered them, and 

 by dint of much exertion succeeded in killing three 

 pythons for such they were of extraordinary size. 

 They had been after the eggs of the marsh-birds and the 

 birds themselves. 



Here it \vas very enjoyable to take up one's position of 



107 



