-> Hostile Forces 



was encamped at the Meru Hills, some days' journey 

 from Kilimanjaro, in the midst of banana-groves an un- 

 questionably poor strategic position, but chosen for want 

 of a better. 



I cannot say that the natives had shown a particu- 

 larly friendly disposition. The men especially, when they 

 came, armed with spears, into camp during the daytime,. 



THE RUINS OF THE MASINDE FORT, A VERY UNHEALTHY STATION, 

 NOW AHANDONED 



showed themselves shy and hostile ; when I spoke to^ 

 them, they turned away and disappeared among the 

 bananas, while the women bartered their field-produce,, 

 as the custom is, among the carriers. 



In the absence of the leader of the expedition, I 

 found myself alone in the camp with my clear friend 

 Alfred Kaiser a man who has spent many years of 

 his life amongst the Bedouin Arabs, and at Sinai 



679 



