i5o 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 paa 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 clay. 

 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. I 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 



