swaying but reliable foundation 
even the mules were able to pass 
across safely. Then the usual load- 
humping recommenced, which was 
a painful and laborious business 
at first for our carriers, after their 
lengthy rest. 
Near the village of Katschuri, 
on a hill overlooking the surround- 
ing country, there stood a mighty 
tree whose colossal crown of foli- 
age seemed to invite us to a shady 
resting - place. Some beehives 
peeped out here and there between 
the branches, full of a promise of 
sweet gifts. The place seemed 
made for us, so we were soon 
lying at our ease beneath the tree's 
friendly shade in full anticipation 
of a pleasant rest after our fa- 
tigues, while the Askari set about 
pitching the tents. 
On a sudden I jumped up, 
startled out of my slumber by a 
painful sting behind my ear, fol- 
lowed quickly by another on my 
nose. A moment later Schubotz, 
who had just been watching my 
antics with a broad grin on his 
face, set up a cry of woe. Wiese. 
muttering maledictions, fumbled 
about in the air with his hands, 
striking out suddenly this way and 
that. 
Then arms and cloths were 
waving and whisking about in 
every direction. "Nyuki! nyiiki!" 
("The bees! the bees!") was 
heard on all sides; and, just as if 
the swarming insects had waited 
for the battle-cry, the air was 
simply darkened by the vindictive 
little creatures. "Nyuki, angalia ! 
("Lookout!") nyuki I" The war- 
whoop resounded all over the camp. A 
fierce conflict raged for a few minutes, 
and then all was over. 
Cries of pain were heard on all sides, 
and there was nothing but hurrying and 
scurrying and indescribable confusion. 
Those who endeavored to get their bur- 
dens into a place of security abandoned 
the efifort and threw them down any- 
where, and in a trice the whole crowd 
were flying down the hillside with the 
angry bees in hot pursuit. Others, and 
more shrevv^d, threw themselves down in 
From "In the Heart of Africa," by Adolphus Frederick, 
Duke of Mecklenburg (Cassell & Co.) 
THE SULTAN OF RUANDA AND CAPTAIN VON 
GRAWLRT^ THi: RESIDENT 
"The Sultan exceeds two meters in height (6 feet 6}^ 
inches)" see page 377 
the grass and remained motionless, and 
they alone were spared. 
Greatly disconcerted, stung all over, 
and decidedly "taken down" at this 
shameful defeat, we met together again 
on the lower hillslope, where the enemy 
was still disputing the field. Wiese had 
the excellent idea of getting the Askari 
along and shielding their faces and hands 
with woolen blankets, so that the might 
get the loads away. 
What a sight our camp presented I 
The loads scattered about, individuals 
373 
