HOMEWARD BOUND 291 



one ventured down from the hill. On the neighbouring 

 peak at Gamari the wells had run dry, but this is 

 a rare occurrence, though the rainfall averages only 

 some 21 inches in the year. Full advantage is taken, 

 however, of what rain there is, and there are a number 

 of shallow reservoirs on the plateau. 



When we came down to the camp again it was to 

 find the little lions scampering about, playing in the 

 trench, and stalking each other, with a marvellous eye 

 for cover. They climbed the trees, too, and by aid of 

 their sharp little claws got above our reach, a sport 

 they immensely enjoyed. 



The next day we continued our march, and passed 

 into flat country of singular monotony, in the midst 

 of which we twice came to granite rocks 100 feet high, 

 that rose in round lumps and were surmounted by 

 perched blocks. They were very curious in formation, 

 and were welcome as a break in the landscape ; but for 

 personal reasons we hated them, as it always meant a 

 fresh point for survey work, and Mr Talbot was not 

 strong enough to do it. The population was Fulani, 

 with an admixture of Hausa — and it was their habit 

 for every man, whether on foot or on horseback, to cast 

 himself in the dust before us and cry " Zaki, zaki"^ — 

 " lion, lion," an appellation of greatness in which I 

 had taken a certain pride until I found it equally 

 applied to Mastaba. This proceeding must have been 

 a great bore for the people unfortunate enough to 

 meet us ; but the custom is their own, and this salu- 

 tation is exacted by their own Emirs and Waziris, 

 who have themselves begged our Administration to 



^ The Hausa term for this salutation is " ledabi,'' derived from the Arabic 

 verb "to train" or "educate." 



