8 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
Egyptian idols, and of coins of the early Persian and 
Chinese dynasties, goes to show that it must at 
different ages have been settled by people of the 
very earliest civilisations. Coming to more modern 
times, it was held on and off from 1505 to 1729 by 
the Portuguese, a permanent memorial of whose 
‘* JESUS FORT.” 
occupation remains in the shape of the grim old 
fortress, built about 1593—on the site, it is believed, 
of a still older stronghold. These enterprising sea- 
rovers piously named it “Jésus Fort,’ and an 
inscription recording this is still to be seen over the 
main entrance. The Portuguese occupation of 
