i 4 THE LAND OF THE LION 



then laid out in a long line on the ground. At the head- 

 man's bidding all the porters line up behind them, and 

 each has his own special burden assigned (which he carries 

 unless other arrangements are made, till the end of the 

 trip). He is then allowed to take his load aside, and 

 fasten to it his own little belongings, sleeping mat, clothes, 

 potio, etc., etc. 



Our sefari numbered one hundred and ten men. There 

 were six different tribes of Africans represented on it, 

 and instead of one headman to twenty porters, there was 

 just one David Rebman. Though all our things were 

 dumped on the platform, and there lay in an immense 

 heap, each package had been previously weighed and 

 tied up, so there was no confusion and no inequality 

 certainly no weeping porters. (It is well to take the 

 time, and see the loads weighed yourself, before the sefari 

 starts from Nairobi.) There was far more food to be car- 

 ried to Sergoit, than there were men to carry it. I had, 

 therefore, arranged for the main supply of potio to be 

 hauled in two wagons with ox teams from Londiani to the 

 next government boma at Eldama Ravine, where donkeys 

 were waiting for us. Four different kinds of food had 

 to be provided for the men. Somalis bargain for an allow- 

 ance of Halwa (rice). This is the most expensive portion. 

 Headmen, tentboys, syces, and gun bearers take Monza 

 rice (i. e., rice from the German lands round the lake). 

 The porters try to get Monza if you can be persuaded to 

 give it, but they do just as well on well ground mealee 

 meal, which is usually half the price. The Kikuyus want 

 beans, and crushed mealies must be taken along for ponies 

 and mules. Of all these various grains we had more than 

 three tons to carry. 



I give these details of food needed for a sefari, just 

 to convey some idea of how much planning and forethought 

 is necessary if a sportsman elects to cut loose from the 



