XVI EN ROUTE FOR EL BOGOI 387 



only been testing the strength of my affection for him, and 

 that the food was safe and intact in a cavern, where he had 

 carefully stored it, barricading the entrance. And so it proved 

 to be : he had hidden it in this dry cave, a secret retreat of 

 his, the entrance to which could only be approached with 

 difficulty, hidden as it was in dense scrub. I said he might 

 eat one of the two loads now, in that case, as he told me that 

 he and his people were suffering from famine (he certainly 

 looked thin), and I also rejoiced his heart with the promise of 

 a donkey. 



But the most unsatisfactory news he had to tell me was 

 that there was not an elephant in the whole country now, nor 

 had been since my departure. This was disappointing, as I 

 had planned to stay some time here, while I sent to Mthara 

 for more food, and to the coast for help to carry down our 

 ivory ; and hoped to add a little to the latter in the interval, 

 by hunting during the delay. 



The pit in which I had planted what 1 had shot in this 

 neighbourhood on our way up was not only untouched, but 

 so overgrown with weeds that it was not possible for any one 

 to see the ground had ever been disturbed. We could not 

 carry its contents along now, even with the spare donkeys, 

 without great difficulty, although we still had sufficient food 

 to take us to Ukambani. Moreover, I feared the Tana River 

 might be impassable, and I had no objection to another month 

 or two in this district before proceeding coastwards. I had 

 therefore determined to send to Mthara as before for additional 

 supplies, while I remained here, at the same time sending 

 messengers to the coast to bring up some additional porters 

 to meet us at Mtiya's (across the Tana), whither v\^e would in 

 the meantime transport our loads, in two journeys, after the 

 return of the food caravan. With this idea I had been writing 

 letters, for several days past, to be ready to send to the coast, 

 and I devoted the next day to the same duty while my men 

 were getting a rest. 



