126 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 



have on a new puggaree, with lots of gold work 

 on it, and this took their fancy immensely ; they 

 examined every line most carefully and went into 

 ecstasies over it just as their European sisters 

 would have done over the latest Parisian creation. 



We made a short halt for rest and refreshment, 

 and then started again on our journey to the top of 

 the hills. After a stiff climb for another two hours, 

 part of it through a thick black forest, we emerged 

 on the summit, where I found I was well rewarded 

 for my trouble by the magnificent views we 

 obtained on all sides. The great Kilima N'jaro 

 stood out particularly well, and made a very effec- 

 tive background to the fine panorama. I was 

 surprised to find a number of well-fed cattle on the 

 mountain top, but I fancy M'gogo thought I was 

 casting an evil spell over them when he saw me 

 taking photographs of them as they grazed 

 peacefully on the sweet grass which covered the 

 plateau. 



Like most other natives of Africa, the Wa Taita 

 are exceedingly superstitious, and this failing is 

 turned to good account by the all-powerful " witch- 

 doctor " or "medicine-man." It is, for instance, an 

 extraordinary sight to see the absolute faith with 

 which a Ki Taita will blow the simba-dawa, or 

 "lion medicine", to the four points of the compass 

 before lying down to sleep in the open. This 



