II ON THE JAMBENI RANGE 41 



open arms. We had a talk with them, and they told us that 

 the elephants were not far off, and went to get information as 

 to their whereabouts to-day from those who watched the crops 

 day and night. Afterwards one of them met us again with 

 the news that there was one large elephant near, and five 

 others not far off. We went on with him, past the swamp of 

 yesterday, and on to a second and larger one. But a number 

 of natives had now come (having, no doubt, got word of the 

 white man's arrival), and were shouting all over the place, and, 

 of course, the elephants had decamped. 



I was again suffering agonies from my feet, and as 

 it was by this time past noon, and the elephants had been 

 disturbed for that day, I decided to go back to camp. On 

 the way back I saw a few impala, one of which I shot. In 

 the evening some of my new friends of Mthara came, bringing 

 me presents of bananas, tobacco, and native beer. We had 

 a satisfactory talk, and I promised to remain in camp the 

 following day to have a " shauri " with their head men and 

 become their " blood brother " if they wished it. This rest 

 would also suit me on account of my chafed feet. I, of course, 

 gave small presents to my visitors. 



Accordingly, the next day I did not go out. A number 

 of the Mthara "elders," as well as many young men, came, 

 bringing small offerings of food. I had a great " shauri " with 

 them, and they seemed very well disposed. Of course they 

 tried at first to get me to stump up something in the shape of 

 " hongo " or tribute, as Swahili traders are in the habit of paying 

 for the privilege of entering each district, though they do not 

 visit this particular part at all, on account of the bad name 

 the natives have ; but I told them distinctly I could not 

 consent to this, as it was not the white man's custom. I said 

 that any presents I might give must be of my own free will ; 

 no demands could I entertain. I wanted to shoot elephants : 

 if they wished to have them shot, I would be glad of their help 

 and guidance. On the other hand, if they did not wish me to 



