284 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



little calves sheltering closely to them amidst all the 

 noise and uproar, and no doubt wondering what it was 

 all about. Presently one of these mothers with her 

 baby left the brawling crowd and stalked off sedately 

 and leisurely. She passed practically at my feet and 

 then turned to the left and mounting the rocks 

 crossed the path by which I had reached my perch. 

 She disappeared into the gloom without becoming 

 aware of my presence. Soon afterwards another 

 went solemnly off, and gradually, one by one, having 

 satisfied their thirst, they all disappeared in different 

 directions, while I made my way back to my tent, 

 after having witnessed one of the most extraordinary 

 and interesting sights it has ever been my good 

 fortune to behold. 



I had given orders that an early start was to be 

 made, for Papai had told me that our next march 

 would be a long and trying one. It was with a very 

 ill grace, therefore, that I received my boy when he 

 came, long before dawn, to tell me that the camp 

 was astir and preparing for the road. 



I was, however, most anxious to reach Marsabit 

 as quickly as possible, so we left Lungaya at about 

 4.30 and continued our march northward. 



Before midday we reached a place called Xayssoe, 

 where we found an encampment of Rendilc. This 

 was the first time I had come across any of 

 the people belonging to this tribe, although we 



