A FRESH START 223 



the high stony ridges in that country. The fruit 

 was something like a fig, but it dyed one's fingers 

 a mulberry colour. In the afternoon of that third 

 day we discovered a native track, and, following it 

 up, arrived later at a village, and there we all had 

 a great feed of green mealies. Next morning we 

 crossed the Msalu in native bark canoes and then 

 took stock of our position. The main part of the 

 village was on our side of the river, and here 

 enough good food could be obtained for all my 

 party. 



I used to think that the nigger ate more than the 

 white man, but now I am convinced that the former 

 really eats, and needs, considerably less as a daily 

 business ; though when very hungry no doubt he 

 can get through a larger amount of food — especially 

 meat. Probably he would consider this to be 

 getting even with his " back rations." The 

 pleasures of the table are regarded differently by 

 white and black. The white man finds satisfaction 

 and enjoyment in the actual eating, whilst his 

 black brother appears to eat rather for the sake of 

 that feeling of fullness and contentment that 

 follows a meal. 



In taking stock of our position we foundwe had 

 now collected thirty-eight out of the original forty 

 askaris ; the two unaccounted for, we afterwards 

 heard, returned safely to the main column, and 

 altogether it had been a bloodless battle. 



With nothing but a blanket each, and rifles and 

 bandoliers (Lewis also had about forty rupees in 



