CHAPTER XIV 



RETURN TO LAKE RUDOLPH 



Back to Bassu — Vigilant guards — A miraculous escape — Acute sufferings — Native 

 solicitude — An exultant tribe — Rare luxuries — A long illness — An anti-slavery 

 tribe — A chiefs prescription — Longing for a change — A relapse — IMy "con- 

 valescent camp " — Start a poultry-yard — Breeding-time of topi — Native trappers 

 — A curious phenomenon — Fabulous elephants — Arrival of ivory traders — A 

 happy coincidence. 



Everything being now in order here, and as Abdulla was 

 able to buy sufficient food to keep us going and a little over, 

 with the prospect of a better supply later on enabling us to 

 accumulate a store as soon as the fine crops of " mtama," now 

 nearly ripe, should be reaped, there was nothing to keep me 

 here longer. The men I had sent to extract and stow away 

 the ivory of the elephants I had shot on the way here had 

 returned from Bumi after accomplishing their errand, and 

 reported that elephants were still drinking nightly at the corner 

 of the lake, though nothing had been seen of the troop of bulls 

 since I had attacked it. I therefore made my preparations for 

 a hunting trip back to Bassu in the first instance ; and on 9th 

 January started with fifteen men, taking my tent and other 

 necessaries, and a supply of food to last us some time, as well as 

 ammunition, etc. Before leaving, I commended my people 

 whom I left behind to Labugo's care, and enjoined upon 

 Abdulla and those under his charge to on no account fall out 

 with the natives. 



Starting, as was my usual custom, about 5. 30, we marched 



