118 ON SAFARI 



uncounted ages of slavery and savagery have left the 

 impress deep in their breasts." 



These simple harmonies, not without their charm, 

 grow upon one as evening after evening they soothe 

 the stillness of the tropical night. Droned out with 

 intervals strange to European ear, those savage ditties 

 have oft recalled the couplets and malaguenas we are 

 long accustomed to hear sung by our camp-fires in far- 

 away Spain. Far awaj^ yet there may be a common 

 source. The cross-bred Swahili, half- Arab, half- African, 

 springs in part from a race that has left many another 

 mark on the Spain of to-day. 



The Swahili language also rings gracefully and 

 euphoniously, while many of their names for places, 

 animals, birds, etc., are certainly prettier than those we 

 use — often borrowed from uncouth Dutch ! Place- 

 names throughout East Africa (though these are not 

 Swahili) also deserve note, such as Elmenteita, Nakiiru, 

 Naivasha, Laikipia, Kamasea. Can any language claim 

 more euphonious form ? 



Sooner or later, the whole country within reach of 

 any one camp has been traversed in every direction, 

 explored and hunted. Desired specimens have either 

 been secured or proved to be impracticable at this point. 

 It has become necessary to try fresh fields, and the order 

 issues : — " Strike camp at dawn." That next morning 

 you may take " an easy," since much work has to be 

 done before the start, and it is an absolute rule never to 

 attempt hunting while on the march. 



On turning out towards sun-up (thus seeing the 

 camp by day-dawn for the first time), already the canvas 

 city of yesterday has disappeared. The circle of tents 

 surroundinof a central mountain of stores has vanished. 

 Not one, save your own, remains standing, and every- 

 where black men are bustling about, each knowing his 

 duty and doing it — packing, strapping, mobilising. 

 Hardly had you quitted the blankets than your l)ed is 

 seized, dismantled, folded and stowed in its valise. 



