THE SEFARI 29 



He on his part will tell you where he has been with other 

 bwanas (masters) and what luck they have had, how long 

 they were out, what number of porters were necessary, 

 and if the sefari was able to employ donkeys to save 

 porterage a very important point. 



After one or two quiet talks with your men, you will 

 have some idea of the size of your expedition, but not yet, 

 I am sorry to say, even a glimmering notion of the size 

 of your bill. It seems so hopeful at first, to find out that 

 you can hire a quite first-class porter for three dollars a 

 month and feed him on two. I remember well how golden 

 were the dreams I indulged in when I took out my first 

 sefari. Here at last was a delightful form of sport that 

 cost less than ordinary hotel living. The disillusionment 

 when it came was complete. No, you cannot "do" Africa 

 cheaply, and of all countries under the sun, this is the 

 very worst, I should fancy, in which to try to practise 

 economy. 



You will need porters 



To carry your 



Tent (a green waterproof one, 8x8, made by Edgerton, 



2 Duke Street, London Bridge) ... 3 porters 



' Bedding I porter 



* Tent table and chair ..... i porter 



' Canteen pots and pans ..... i porter 



' Private tin boxes, clothing, books . . . I to 3 porters 



' Ammunition . . . . . . . i to 2 porters 



' Own food (depends on time out) . . . i to 10 porters 



' Gun cases I porter 



If pony is taken, one syce i porter 



As tentboy i porter 



As cook i porter 



It is a safe rule to allow twenty porters for your per- 

 sonal belongings, not, of course, including men's food or 

 anything else. Now I admit that these numbers sound 

 excessive and some of the items I have named may seem 

 specially to those who have only been accustomed to 



