60 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



We were not sorry to leave the camp on the 

 Kwamutuku, as the water in the holes in the bed of 

 the stream was very brackish, and the mosquitoes 

 and ticks were most troublesome. Under the 

 guidance of a couple of local natives we continued 

 our journey in an easterly direction towards the 

 Karusi river, which we were told was a short distance 

 ahead of us. The country we rode over continued 

 to be beautifully grassy and undulating, with nu- 

 merous trees scattered about here and there. S. 

 walked through the long grass and alternately 

 handled his rifle and shotgun, according as a rhino 

 or a fat little quail was put up. A considerable 

 quantity of game w r as to be seen in all directions, 

 and the whole march was a most interesting one. 

 On the way I counted 50 Thomson's gazelle, 30 

 eland, 30 wildebeeste, 7 rhino, some ostriches, and 

 hundreds of kongoni. 



Shortly after setting out from camp we heard a 

 great noise and commotion among the men, who 

 were following us. Riding back to learn the cause 

 I found that a rhino had suddenly charged the 

 safari, but had fortunately gone through the line of 

 porters without impaling anybody; and beyond the 

 breaking of a few loads as they were hastily thrown 

 down by the terrified men, no damage was 

 done. 



Soon after this incident, as we marched along in 



