368 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chai-. 



to the load. This makes the culprit do useful work — for there 

 is seldom a time when something is not in want of means of 

 transport, such as a newl\--acquired specimen, for example — 

 and the fact of its having been added as a penalty has a great 

 effect upon him, though the actual weight may not make an}' 

 material difference. 



A rule I never depart from, and to which I attach the 

 greatest importance in dealing with Africans, is to allow one's 

 men free access to oneself to lay their grievances before their 

 master. If the complaints are frivolous, I point out to grumblers 

 their groundlessness ; it relieves their feelings to have had their 

 say, and thus a little " shauri " often removes discontent. 

 Above all, never allow a headman to punish nor give him 

 uncontrolled sway over the men ; such a course surely leads 

 to favouritism and cruelt\-, however good a man he may be. 



I felt so sure that the caravan would come in that^ day 

 that I went out early on the morning of 28th April on purpose 

 to get some meat for the men. Those who had been with me 

 here had always had more than they could eat, but the others 

 could get none while I was away, and, as they were now carry- 

 ing heavy loads, deserved some. I shot two " topi," and the 

 " safari " came in all safe and sound just as I got back. As 

 it was yet early, we were that day able to get completed all 

 the additional preparations and disposals which the newly- 

 acquired ivory rendered necessary, and everything ready for start- 

 ing in earnest with the whole outfit, on our return journey, the 

 following morning. Every one was in high spirits, not excepting 

 myself, for I had every reason to feel thankful for my recovery 

 and for the many fortunate circumstances which had combined 

 to make things smooth for me and to render my expedition 

 far from an absolute failure, in spite of my serious accident 

 and consequent loss of three months and upsetting of my plans. 

 Men are always pleased at the prospect of returning to the 

 coast after a long trip ; and happily we had an ample suppl)' 

 of food to see us through, an}'\vay to El Bogoi, so that I saw 



