AYith Flashlight and Rifle -* 



Some most difficult and lengthy marches no\v awaited 

 me. We had to make forced marches, so as to get 

 past the waterless parts. 



On August 2Oth I had started at r p.m., and after a 

 forced march had, towards evening, pitched camp in a 

 hilly part of the velt, sparsely grown with terminalias 

 and acacias. The loads were laid down, and my cattle 

 about ninety head were shut into a hastily contrived 

 thorn -barricade, called a '' boma." All around lay the 

 wearied carriers, who soon, despite their thirst, fell into 

 a deep slumber. My taxidermist's and my own tent 

 had been hastily put up, and had no sun-blinds. As 

 usual, my armed men slept together by one of the camp 

 fires, and a sentry was patrolling the camp. Even we 

 Europeans were fast asleep, when in the middle of the 

 night the Masai, who had followed us into the desert, 

 suddenly attacked us. The aggressors, some of whom 

 had already got into the camp, were, however, repulsed, 

 and quick as lightning volley followed volley into the 

 darkness. Then, with a clashing of arms, the foe took 

 to flight. 



All my unarmed people had thrown themselves upon 

 the ground, as they were taught by me to do, while we 

 Europeans formed a square with the armed men. Now 

 followed some hours of suspense in total darkness, only 

 interrupted by shots here and there, wherever a rustling 

 noise might be supposed to betray the presence of the 

 enemy. 



We strained all our senses to the uttermost, and 

 strangely did the utter stillness of the men crouching 



692 



