AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



gence to follow ordinary directions he was an infant. 

 We had to iterate and reiterate in words of one 

 syllable our directions as to routes and meeting 

 points, and then he was quite as apt to go wrong as 

 right. Yet, I must repeat, he knew thoroughly all 

 the ins and outs of a very difficult trade, and under- 

 stood, as well, how to keep his cattle always fit and 

 in good condition. In fact he was a little hipped 

 on what the "dear rCgombes^^ should or should not 

 be called upon to do. 



One incident will illustrate all this better than I 

 could explain it. When we reached the Narossara 

 River we left the wagon and pushed on afoot. We 

 were to be gone an indefinite time; and we left 

 N'gombe Brown and his outfit very well fixed. 

 Along the Narossara ran a pleasant shady strip of 

 high jungle; the country about was clear and open; 

 but most important of all, a white man of education 

 and personal charm occupied a trading boma, or 

 enclosure, near at hand. An accident changed our 

 plans and brought us back unexpectedly at the end 

 of a few weeks. We found that N'gombe Brown 

 had trekked back a long day's journey, and was 

 encamped alone at the end of a spur of mountains. 

 We sent native runners after him. He explained 

 his change of base by saying that the cattle feed was 

 a little better at his new camp! Mind you this; at 



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