THE FIRST CAMP 



sented it properly on the left side, waiting like well- 

 trained butlers. We might have been in a London 

 restaurant. As three of us were Americans, we felt 

 a trifle dazed. The porters, having finished the dis- 

 tribution of their loads, squatted on their heels and 

 watched us respectfully. 



And then, not two hundred yards away, four os- 

 triches paced slowly across the track, paying not the 

 slightest attention to us — our first real wild os- 

 triches, scornful of oranges, careless of tourists, and 

 rightful guardians of their own snowy plumes. The 

 passage of these four solemn birds seemed somehow 

 to lend this strange open-air meal an exotic flavour. 

 We were indeed in Africa; and the ostriches helped 

 us to realize it. 



We finished breakfast and arose from our chairs. 

 Instantly a half dozen men sprang forward. Before 

 our amazed eyes the table service, the chairs and 

 the table itself disappeared into neat packages. 

 M'ganga arose to his feet. 



"Bandika!" he cried. 



The askaris rushed here and there actively. 



"Bandika! bandika! bandika!" they cried re- 

 peatedly. 



The men sprang into activity. A struggle heaved 

 the varicoloured multitude — and, lo! each man 

 stood upright, his load balanced on his head. At 



39 



