ag THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
the zebra, the great caravan of Basoga porters re- 
turned from the coast on their way back to their 
own country ; but alas, with what a terrible difference 
in their appearance! All their gaiety and_ light- 
heartedness was gone, and the poor fellows were in 
a pitiable state. A frightful epidemic of dysentery 
had broken out amongst them, doubtless caused by 
their having eaten food to which they were entirely 
unaccustomed, their simple diet in their own homes 
consisting almost entirely of bananas, from which 
they also make a most refreshing and stimulating 
drink. The ranks of the caravan were terribly deci- 
mated, and dozens of men were left dead or dying 
along the roadside after each march. It was a case 
of the survival of the fittest, as of course it was quite 
impossible for the whole caravan to halt in the 
wilderness where neither food nor water was to be 
had. There was only one European with the party, 
and although he worked like a slave he could do 
very little among such a number, while the Basoga 
themselves seemed quite indifferent to the sufferings 
of their comrades. Thirteen poor wretches fell out 
to die close to my tent ; they were in the most hope- 
less condition and far too weak to be able to do any- 
thing at all for themselves. As soon as I discovered 
them, I boiled a bucketful of water, added some 
tins of condensed milk and the greater part of a 
bottle of brandy to it, and fed them with the mix- 
