xxv AT MARSABIT 317 



It was a most beautiful and refreshing sight, and 

 one to be remembered with pleasure after all the 

 hardships and trials of the burning desert. 



I was called away from the contemplation of this 

 charming scene by the voice of my Headman, who 

 wanted to know where I would camp. As no tents 

 had been pitched since we left Lersamis, I now had 

 to consider what arrangements I should make for 

 the safety and comfort of the unfortunate lady who 

 had been so tragically left in my care. It was quite 

 out of the question that she should again use the 

 tent that was associated with such painful memories, 

 and in any case part of it had been destroyed. It 

 was also unthinkable that she should be left isolated 

 in the midst of wild men and wild beasts, especially 

 after the shock she had just had. I was full of 

 anxiety about her at this time, and constantly 

 dreaded that an accident of some kind might 

 happen to her while we were in the wilds, where 

 at every turn one is liable to run upon an un- 

 expected peril. I felt that I was responsible for 

 her safety, and should always be close at hand to 

 protect her in case of need. 



I therefore decided that the best thing to do was 

 to have my own tent, which was, fortunately, quite 

 large enough for the purpose, divided into two 

 compartments. Accordingly I had a partition put 

 up along the centre of it, which made it into 



