CHAPTER VI 



RETURN TO MOMBASA 



My new Lee-Metford — Advantage of solid bullet — Observations on rhinos — A white 

 companion — Bag a " Roi rhebok "• — A punitive expedition — A land of plenty 

 — Our Christmas camp — Tribes round Mount Kenia — A playful escapade — 

 Stung by hornets — A tribe on the war-path — A solitary wanderer — Sport and 

 science — ^Return to Mombasa — A pleasant change — Organise a new caravan — 

 An earthquake shock, 



A few days' rest in a cool and rain-proof shed, with such 

 luxuries as fresh vegetables and baked bananas, was enjoyable. 

 The surroundings, too, were pleasanter than formerly, the 

 young grass being now short and green. Flowers — among 

 them many pretty ground orchids — were not yet choked in 

 rank herbage, and my boy could always procure a handsome 

 variety to adorn my humble table. 



My messengers were back from Mombasa with mails, etc., 

 and what was of even more interest to me — a new rifle. This 

 was an ordinary service Lee-Metford (mark IV.). I shall have 

 more to say about this weapon later on. At first I could not 

 make very good shooting with it ; for, besides having to become 

 accustomed to its unfamiliar handling, it needed an emphatically 

 " long pull and a strong pull " to fire it ; so long indeed, that I 

 had sometimes, after feeling the trigger come an appreciable 

 way, to start afresh before it would go off.^ Moreover, it was 

 awkward in the bush, as the least touch of a branch against 



1 On my return to Mombasa, before starting on my next expedition, I was able, 

 through the kindness of a naval officer, to get this defect remedied. 



