V NDOROBO ELEPHANT-HUNTING 119 



and verdant vegetation proved much rain to have fallen, and 

 the heavy and frequent showers made the shelter of our huts 

 at the Laiju " boma " welcome. Cloudy nights had been in- 

 convenient, too, in another way. My watch had gone wrong 

 ever since I had been so foolish as to exhibit its works to some 

 natives in Embe, and I had to time my getting up by the stars. 

 When they were invisible I could only guess, and sometimes I 

 made a bad shot and called the safari too soon, with uncomfort- 

 able results. These were the early or lesser rains, — always to 

 be expected about that time of year. We entered the " boma " 

 on 15 th November, and were accorded an enthusiastic recep- 

 tion, with much drumming and many congratulations, by those 

 in charsre. 



