20 AFRICA SPEAKS 



The steamer's whistle gave the signal for "all 

 aboard" and a short time later we were started on 

 the last leg of the journey to Mombasa. As we rounded 

 Cape Guardafui, called The Sleeping Lion, the breeze 

 turned into a gale and was soon blowing the sea spray 

 clear over the captain's bridge. Now some of those 

 who had been complaining of the heat wished for the 

 calm of that *'Red Hot Sea," for they found it 

 absolutely necessary to hide away in bunks down 

 below until either the sea or their stomachs became 

 somewhat settled. 



Several interesting days passed as we glided down 

 the eastern coast of Africa — days spent in swapping 

 experiences and hstening to unusual tales narrated by 

 men on board who had Hved many years on this vast 

 continent. They told of strange people who did 

 strange things; of women with hps as large as saucers; 

 of people who wear iron armor; of naked tribes and 

 dwarfs; of giants and people who look white; of men 

 covered with hair like gorillas; of weird dances and 

 savage methods of hunting. They pointed out districts 

 on my map where game had never been disturbed; 

 places where I would find enormous herds of elephants 

 coming down to drink at unknown rivers; a spot deep 

 in the forest where natives whispered of a mysterious 

 animal called Nya Gezi. 



At daybreak on September seventh, the ship entered 

 the narrow channel which connects the Indian Ocean 

 with KiUndini Harbor. I was on deck to gaze again 

 on familiar scenes of palm-rimmed banks, with here 

 and there a red-roofed cottage, and over yonder was 

 the palace of Sheik Ali Ben Salim, who was to tell me 

 a strange story. 



