212 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- 



