150 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
over some of the stunted trees, and under its shade 
we rested for half an hour, had some food, and drank 
the last of our water. After this we pushed on 
with renewed vigour, and arrived at the Sabaki 
in good time before sundown, having bagged a 
couple of guinea-fowl and a faa on the way to serve 
for dinner. After the long and fatiguing day my 
bathe in a clear shady pool was a real delight, but I 
might not have enjoyed it quite so much if I 
had known then of the terrible fate which awaited 
one of my followers in the same river the next day. 
By the time I got back to camp supper was ready 
and fully appreciated. The tireless Mahina had 
also collected some dry grass for my bed, and I 
turned in at once, with my rifle handy, and slept the 
sleep of the just, regardless of all the wild beasts in 
Africa. 
At dawn Mabruki roused me with a cup of 
steaming hot coffee and some biscuits, and a start 
was at once made on our return journey to Tsavo. 
The place where we had struck the Sabaki the 
previous evening was some miles further down the 
stream than I had ever been before, so I decided to 
take advantage of the Masai trail along its bank 
until the Tsavo River was reached. [| did not think 
we should meet with any further adventure on 
our way home, but in the wilds the unexpected is 
always happening. Shortly after we started one of 
