74 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFEICA 



dry. It was too much. I heeled over helplessly and 

 lay athwart his shoulders, clutching at his head in my 

 insecurity. Thus he bore me for the rest of the way. 

 That he got me over without further disaster was a 

 considerable feat, for the swamp must have extended 

 quite 400 yards. 



Mrs Talbot meanwhile was carried by Kukaua, who 

 greatly disliked the task, and again and again threat- 

 ened to drop her. She had no wish to get wet, im- 

 plored him to continue, and was finally reduced to 

 offering all sorts of bribes. He had stopped to groan 

 in the deepest part when Mastaba, having landed me, 

 saw Mrs Talbot's plight and at once started back to 

 help, and carried her himself for the rest of the way. 



The swamps succeeded each other quickly, and next 

 time I waded. We were on the verge of one, 500 

 yards across, when two naked men met us. They 

 were mounted on horses sent out by their Bamm 

 (Chief) for our use. This swamp was a continuation 

 of the Tuburi Lake, and he thought we might not 

 like the crocodiles that frequented it. It was a true 

 thought, and Mrs Talbot and I mounted. Then a 

 hippo was heard, surging through water a few yards 

 away. In one second Mr Talbot was in pursuit. I 

 cast myself off my horse and followed after, while 

 Kukaua carried the second rifle behind me. We had 

 some minutes of breathless excitement, expecting the 

 creature to burst upon us, for we heard it and others 

 crashing and grunting all round. We were standing 

 in water from three to four feet deep, and quick move- 

 ment was not possible in the slimy bottom, so we 

 listened to Kukaua's pitiful entreaties and consented 

 to climb up a tree that stood in the water. Kukaua 



