242 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



box was far behind, but the chief had sent us a dash 

 of eggs and milk. Luckily washerman's wife had a 

 bowl in which to boil them. They were not appetis- 

 ing, for large skins formed on the milk, and the eggs 

 were without salt, but we were hungry and devoured 

 them eagerly. At least they had the advantage of 

 being easily eaten without plates or spoons. 



We wasted no time on the way, but marched quickly 

 on to Maifoni, through Mongonu, Dubala, and Massu, 

 along the same broad, straight, sandy road. Its sur- 

 face is occasionally bad with a sort of hard, black, caked 

 shale, and at no time is it safe for unconsidered gallop- 

 ing, as it is perforated with jackal holes and dotted 

 with ant-heaps. 



One day we had trouble with the little cubs, who, 

 though three months old, still travelled in the same 

 basket. Lamy remained the bigger and stronger, 

 and as ill-luck would have it he chose one hot morn- 

 ing to sit on his brother's head. At the mid-day halt 

 poor little Kusseri emerged sick and sorry, and as he 

 was little better when the march had to be con- 

 tinued we made a stretcher for him out of a Buduma 

 shield, and Mandara — the zakis' special attendant — 

 carried it. It meant an extra carrier to take Lamy, 

 and, to his shame be it said, the labourer selected 

 proved unworthy of the honour, set down the cage, 

 and fled "for bush." 



When I rode up poor little Lamy had bitten his 

 way out and was wandering about all by himself 

 I dismounted at once, and the moment he saw me 

 he rushed to me and flung his arms round my neck. 



The Government Agent, who was with us, mean- 

 while searched some houses near by for a man to 



